Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas Tuesday, tasked Nigerian youths to rise beyond rhetoric and take deliberate action to shape the country’s political future.
He gave the challenge at the launch of the Take Action Campaign (TAC) with the theme: “Awakening a Generation: Youthful Leadership for a New Nigeria” in Abuja.
The speaker, who was represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala advised young people to see themselves not merely as the leaders of tomorrow, but as the key drivers of Nigeria’s present transformation, lamenting that despite comprising over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population, their influence in decision-making and governance remains minimal.
“The youth are not just the future; they are the present. They must begin to reflect their numbers in the governance of this nation,” he said.
The Take Action Campaign, spearheaded by the Youth in Parliament Forum (YIPF), is a nationwide initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians to take up leadership roles in politics and public service.
He stressed the need for young people to be more deliberate about entering public service, engaging with laws, and actively shaping policies that affect their lives.
“If we cannot articulate the change we want or push for it through structured engagement, then what are we doing?” he asked.
The speaker noted that the National Assembly had already begun opening the space for youth participation, citing the example of Hon. Mohammed from Kebbi state, who was elected into the House at just 26 years old, as a clear sign of what is possible when the system becomes more inclusive.
Abbas called on young Nigerians to examine the proposal and lend their voices constructively, noting the transformative impact such representation could have on national development.
“Imagine if over 100 seats were reserved for women and more than 70 of those seats were occupied by women under 35. That would change the national conversation entirely,” he said.
The speaker urged the youth to rethink the idea of escape as a permanent solution. “Even with a blue passport abroad, you’re still a second-class citizen. No one can ever take your Nigerian identity from you. This is your land, your mission, your birthright,” he said.
He appealed to Nigeria’s young population, “Don’t just sit behind your devices criticising. Get involved. Monitor policies. Ask hard questions. Make noise where it matters. We have no other country but this one. So let us rise and take action.”
The Director General of the Youth in Parliament Forum (YIPF), Hon. Tony Nwulu, underscored the urgency of youth participation in governance.
He said the unveiling of the Take Action Campaign, a youth-driven movement, had a singular mission to transform Nigeria’s political landscape by empowering young Nigerians to run for office and take charge of their future.
He outlined the four-pronged approach of the campaign which are mobilizing, mentoring, and supporting young aspirants at all levels of governance; building structures in all 36 states and the FCT to prepare youth for political participation; launching voter engagement strategies to activate and educate youth voting blocs; and facilitating the election of young legislators into state and national assemblies by 2027.
He described TAC as more than a campaign, calling it a national awakening, a call to action, to participation, and to leadership.
Nwulu decried the persistent under-representation of youth in governance, despite constituting over 60 percent of the nation’s population.
According to him, TAC is YIPF’s strategic response to this imbalance, a grassroots-powered initiative designed to shift young Nigerians from the political sidelines to the decision-making table.
Kogi state governor, Ahmed Ododo, praised the Take Action Campaign, which he described as the logical progression from the Not Too Young to Run movement.
Represented by the state’s Director General of Research and Development, Moses Okezie-Okafor, he described himself as a product of that political opportunity, having served in the state’s executive council across two administrations.
“Some youths decided to take action and the political space opened up. This campaign is the action phase. This is not just about talk, it’s time to lead,” he said.
He cited Kogi’s unique gender inclusion model, where all local government deputy chairpersons are women. In some cases, both chairperson and deputy are women.
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state aligned the state with the objectives of the Take Action Campaign, saying it reflects the reality already being shaped in Imo.
Represented by Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Chika Abazu, he said, “This campaign couldn’t have come at a better time. In Imo, youth are not only appointed, they are empowered. Over 40 per cent of the state cabinet is youth. I myself, benefited from the Not Too Young to Run movement and now serve as commissioner.”
He urged young Nigerians not to merely aspire but to perform and to see their roles as part of a larger developmental value chain.
