By Sani Idris Abdulrahman
The Youths Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividend has praised Kaduna State for prioritising youths development in policy implementation, calling for a stronger policy structure to sustain the ‘Demographic Dividends Agenda’.
The source reports that demographic dividends refer to economic growth gains arising when the working-age population becomes larger than the dependent population, creating increased productivity and reduced poverty.
In a statement issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Kaduna by the coalition, they praised government’s commitment to investing in the future of young people.
Signatories to the statement were Sumayya Hussaini, the Co-chair, Kaduna State Open Government Partnership (OGP) Technical Working Group (TWG) on Strengthening Social Protection System and Christopher Atsen, State Coordinator of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
Others were: Usman Abdullahi, the State Organising Secretary of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Hassan John, the Speaker Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Seth Luke, Co-chair Kaduna State OGP TWG on Strengthening Participatory Budget Process, and Waniya Ilu, Head, Participatory Governance, Civic Impact for Sustainable Development.
The coalition hailed the re-establishment of the Ministry of Youths Development, describing it as a bold step showing political will to listen and actively support youth aspirations and wellbeing.
They also commended the government for reviewing and developing the State Demographic Dividends Roadmap in 2024, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Lafiya Programme and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
They said the roadmap strongly aligned with Gov. Uba Sani’s ‘Sustainable Transformation Agenda for the Next Generation’ manifesto, confirming commitment to evidence-based human capital development.
They cited the 2025 third-quarter budget report showing 94 per cent performance, over N14billion spent on youths-targeted interventions, and surpassing health, education, and agriculture budget thresholds.
They described Kaduna as a state that leads, innovates, and sets the pace for others to follow in youth-centred development and governance.
The coalition urged Sani to approve a Technical Working Group under the Office of the Deputy Governor, as stipulated in the roadmap, to drive coordination and accountability.
They said the technical working group should be housed within the Human Capital Development Strategic Team to guide effective multi-sectoral engagement and long-term implementation.
They also recommended placing the Ministry of Youths Development as its Secretariat to ensure youths and children remained central to decisions affecting their wellbeing and opportunities.
They emphasised that children and young people constitute 83 per cent of Kaduna state’s population according to the 2020 Kaduna Demographic and Health Survey, underscoring the urgency for action.
They added that institutionalising this mechanism would make Kaduna the first subnational in Nigeria to adopt a demographic-driven development structure with historic and lasting benefits.
They reaffirmed commitment to supporting government efforts, engaging stakeholders, and championing initiatives that secure a prosperous and inclusive future for all young people in Kaduna State.
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