Speaker Abbas Urges Youths to Shape Nigeria’s Political Future

•As YIPF DG unveils strategic youth empowerment plan

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has urged Nigerian youths to move beyond conversations and take decisive action to influence the country’s political future.

Speaking at the launch of the Take Action Campaign in Abuja, themed “Awakening a Generation: Youthful Leadership for a New Nigeria,” Abbas encouraged young Nigerians to stop viewing themselves only as future leaders and start seeing themselves as central players in Nigeria’s current transformation.

Though represented by Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Abbas emphasized that youth must actively reflect their demographic strength in leadership positions across the country.

The Take Action Campaign, initiated by the Youth in Parliament Forum (YIPF), is a nationwide movement designed to empower young Nigerians to take up leadership roles in politi

Abbas expressed concern that while young people make up over 60% of the population, their presence in decision-making processes is negligible.

He stressed that young Nigerians must be more intentional about entering public office, shaping laws, and participating in policy development.

He questioned the effectiveness of youth involvement if it remains unstructured or lacks a clear agenda, asking, “If we cannot articulate the change we want or push for it through structured engagement, then what are we doing?”

Citing Reforms and Progress, Abbas urges youth participation and highlighted legislative measures like the Not Too Young to Run Act as concrete efforts to open political space to younger leaders.

He pointed to Hon. Mohammed from Kebbi State, who joined the House at age 26, as evidence of youth inclusivity in action.

He also voiced support for a current bill aimed at reserving legislative seats for women, calling on young Nigerians to engage in this conversation and support inclusive representation.

Abbas painted a bold vision for change, suggesting that if over 100 seats were designated for women, with the majority occupied by women under 35, it would transform national dialogue and governance dynamics.

Speaker also warned against “Japa” as an escape plan.

On the issue of mass youth emigration (commonly referred to as “japa”), Abbas urged young Nigerians to reconsider viewing foreign relocation as a permanent solution.

 He reminded them that true ownership of purpose and identity lies in their homeland.

 “Even with a blue passport abroad, you’re still a second-class citizen,” he said, stressing that Nigeria is their rightful place to effect change.

Abbas further appealed to youths to stop sitting behind screens criticizing the government.

“Get involved, hold leaders accountable, and push for policies that matter. We have no other country but this one. So let us rise and take action”

Hon. Tony Nwulu, Director General of the Youth in Parliament Forum, echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of youth involvement in governance.

He described the Take Action Campaign as a movement to radically transform Nigeria’s political scene by encouraging and equipping young Nigerians to contest and win elections.

Nwulu outlined the campaign’s strategy as a four-pronged approach: mobilizing, mentoring, and supporting youth political aspirants; establishing structures in all 36 states and the FCT to support youth participation; launching voter education initiatives; and ensuring the election of young lawmakers by 2027.

More than just a political program, he called TAC a “national awakening” designed to move young people from the sidelines into positions of power and influence.

Nwulu criticized the chronic under-representation of youth in governance despite their population size.

He explained that TAC was created as YIPF’s answer to this imbalance – a grassroots-driven strategy to push youth into real leadership roles.

He declared the campaign’s launch marked the beginning of a new political awareness, led by young Nigerians prepared to innovate, govern, and take charge of their country’s future.

Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State lauded the campaign as the next logical phase following the Not Too Young to Run movement.

Represented by Moses Okezie-Okafor, Director General of Research and Development, Ododo said he personally benefited from youth-focused political inclusion, having served in the state’s executive arm under two different administrations.

He emphasized that when young people took initiative, the political environment opened up and that this is not just about talk – it’s time to lead.

Ododo highlighted Kogi State’s success in gender inclusion, revealing that all local government deputy chairpersons are women, and in some areas, both chairperson and deputy are women.

He also noted that high-level state positions such as Secretary to the Government and Accountant General are held by women.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing youth involvement and recognizing youth achievements like the Falconets’ recent honor, urging others to provide young people with immediate opportunities.

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State expressed full support for TAC, asserting the campaign’s objectives are already being realized in Imo.

Represented by Dr. Chika Abazu, Commissioner for Special Duties, he noted that over 40% of the state’s cabinet consists of young people.

Abazu, himself a product of the Not Too Young to Run legislation, urged youth not just to aim for leadership but to excel in it, contributing meaningfully to national growth.

He stressed that innovation, energy, and entrepreneurship from young people are crucial to building a new Nigeria.

He concluded that the real value of TAC lies in leaders who open doors for others, leaving pathways behind them for the next generation.