The Chairman, House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, has stressed the need for constitutional and structural reforms to address Nigeria’s complex challenges.
Speaking at the Nigerian Youth Dialogue held in Abuja to mark International Youth Day, Alao-Akala said lawmakers dedicate their time to passing bills and motions that shape citizens’ lives, but the country must move beyond outdated systems that no longer serve its realities.
He explained that Nigeria’s diversity, with six geo-political zones and multiple cultural identities, makes governance difficult and often places the country at a disadvantage. The lawmaker noted that only dialogue can build consensus on the country’s political direction and ensure reforms that guarantee security, stability, and opportunity for future generations.
Also speaking, Hon Muktar Shagaya noted that legislators remain committed to strengthening policies that empower youths in areas such as entrepreneurship, digital innovation, climate action, and governance. However, he stressed that collaboration is essential to ensure that ideas generated from the dialogue do not remain on paper but are incorporated into budgets, programs, and laws that impact lives.
The Country Director of Plan International Nigeria, Dr. Charles Usie, represented by the Director of Programmes, Dr. Helen Idiong, underscored the importance of harnessing the creativity, energy, and resilience of young Nigerians for national transformation.
Ejembi Abah, representing the Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria, stressed the importance of engaging young people in nation-building, noting that they constitute a significant portion of the population and are central to shaping the country’s future.
