12/12/2024
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE STAKEHOLDERS' ROUNDTABLE ON NORTHERN NIGERIAN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
HELD ON 19TH AND 20TH NOVEMBER 2024 AT NAF CONFERENCE CENTRE, ABUJA.
PREAMBLE
Under the auspices of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, a two-day Stakeholders Roundtable was convened to discuss Northern Nigerian Youth Development. The event brought together esteemed dignitaries, policymakers, academics, development practitioners, and youth advocates to deliberate on the challenges facing youth in Northern Nigeria and propose actionable solutions.
The Roundtable featured His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as the Special Guest of Honour, and His Excellency, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, Executive Governor of Gombe State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), represented by Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Secretary of State Government. Keynote addresses, paper presentations, and interactive panel discussions were organized around thematic issues critical to youth development.
The keynote speech delivered by Suleiman Abubakar, Managing Director of Sterling Bank Plc, titled “Empowering the Next Generation: Strategies for Sustainable Youth Development in Northern Nigeria”, emphasized a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges facing youth in Northern Nigeria by fostering innovation, restoring community values, and creating economic opportunities to unlock their potential.
The Roundtable highlighted the importance of reclaiming the region's historical legacy of knowledge and science while integrating modern technology, such as artificial intelligence and mechanized agriculture, to empower young people. Stressing the rule of law as a foundation for stability, participants called for equitable governance, leadership grounded in competence and ethics, and a renewed focus on education that prioritizes curiosity, skill-building, and practical knowledge.
The conference underscored the need for collaboration among governments, private sector players, and communities to provide youth with the tools and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to societal progress and regional development.
The following resolutions, recommendations, and commitments were made:
RESOLUTIONS
Acknowledgment of Youth Potential:
Participants unanimously recognized the immense untapped potential of the youth population in Northern Nigeria and its critical role in driving sustainable development, security, and economic growth in the region.
Causes of youth Discontent
Key drivers of youth discontent, including unemployment, lack of quality education, insecurity, and inadequate government intervention, inadequate youth participation in leadership position, inadequate or lack of funding facilities were identified as requiring urgent and strategic attention.
Stakeholders’ Collaborative Role:
A collective call was made for increased collaboration among government, private sector actors, civil society organizations, traditional institutions, and community leaders in addressing youth challenges holistically.
Empowerment through Agriculture and Entrepreneurship:
The roundtable recognized the pivotal role of agricultural entrepreneurship, modern farming techniques, and vocational education as pathways to reducing unemployment and fostering economic empowerment among youth.
Impact of Insecurity:
Participants highlighted the detrimental effects of insecurity on youth development and committed to fostering peace through inclusive policies, strict enforcement of the rule of law, and robust youth-focused initiatives.
Implementation Committee
Stakeholders resolved to hold the meeting of the implementation Committee to discuss specifically strategies and road map or implementation policy framework based on the recommendations of this Roundtable to address issues of economy development confronting the Northern region not later than March 2025.
A resolution to Northern leaders holding elective, traditional or religious positions to pay particular attention to entrenching core values of honesty, service and hard work and enlisting younger generations of Northerners to imbibe them.
Participants called for synergy among Governors and leaders from Northern Region with a view to address insecurity, unemployment, economy and other development challenges confronting the North.
Participants reiterated the implementation of free, compulsory and universal education for every child of primary and junior secondary school age in accordance with the provisions of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act. It also called forthe redesigningof our school curriculum towards entrepreneurship and skill acquisition especially at the basic level.
Stakeholders emphasized the use of modern technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cyber-security etc. in the learning process at all levels.
Stakeholders advocated for the Almajiri education to be integrated with formal or western system of education especially at basic level.
The Roundtable emphasised on the need for productive population. Participants urged parents who are the first contact and one of the most critical stakeholders in the life of the children to be responsible for moral, social and educational well-being of their children and wards, should give children the training required for them to be productive and contribute to the well-being of the society
Reawakening the spirit of community and empathy so as to reclaim the essence of Africa communal living and mutual cooperation.
Re-engineer Leadership at Every Level: We must rethink how leaders at various levels are chosen or how they emerge as it directly affects the kind of leadership that is provided at all levels.
Participants agreed that agriculture must be made attractive to youth population especially Agricpreneurship and the use of modern tools and improved seeds to encourage youth participation. Stakeholders advocates for Smart Farming, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Agriculture, Biodiversity, Blockchain in Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management, Climate-Smart Agriculture, Organic Farming, Conservative Tillage, Regenerative Agriculture, Precision Agriculture, Vertical Farming, Value-added Agriculture among others for maximum participation by youth in the North.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Policy and Institutional Strengthening:
Governments at all levels should implement policies that prioritize youth-focused economic empowerment, should be based on general consent and growth rather than personal or individual consent and ensure inclusive participation in decision-making.
Strengthen institutions tasked with delivering targeted programs that benefit youth.
Education and Skills Development:
Revitalize the Northern educational system by integrating entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and innovation into curricula.
Establish innovation hubs, skills acquisition centers, and partnerships with private sector organizations to provide hands-on training for youth.
Foster a passion for learning by making science, technology, and creative pursuits engaging and accessible.
Agricultural Transformation:
Modernize agriculture by transitioning to productivity-focused farming techniques and emphasizing the value chain, including processing, distribution, and export.
Create mentorship platforms for knowledge sharing, facilitated by successful agricultural entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship and Access to Finance:
Establish incubation programs tailored to youth-led start-ups and small-scale enterprises (SMEs). Provide affordable loans, grants, and financial literacy training to youth through institutions and Cooperative Societies and other financial organizations.
Tackling Insecurity:
Restore the rule of law by enforcing justice transparently and equitably, reducing lawlessness and rebuilding trust in governance.
Engage youth in community peacebuilding initiatives to reduce their vulnerability to extremism and violence.
Reawakening Community Spirit:
Reclaim and promote communal values of empathy, cooperation, and collective well-being to build harmonious societies.
Collaborative Governance:
Governments, traditional leaders, private enterprises, and communities must work together to provide the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary for youth empowerment.
COMMITMENTS
The following commitments were made by key stakeholders:
Government:
Commit to implementing the resolutions and recommendations from this roundtable and align them with existing national and state-level development frameworks.
Increase budgetary allocations for youth development programs, particularly in education, agriculture, and security.
Traditional Leaders:
Utilize their influence to foster community support and engagement with youth development initiatives, ensuring grassroots alignment with national and state policies.
Advocate for increased resource allocation and mobilization for education, agriculture, and security within their domains.
Promote cultural values that encourage youth participation in leadership, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding efforts.
Private Sector:
Partner with governments to create job opportunities, support vocational training, and fund youth entrepreneurship programs.
Development Partners:
Provide technical and financial assistance to support Northern Nigeria’s youth development initiatives.
Civil Society Organizations:
Act as watchdogs to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of youth-focused policies and programs.
Youth Organizations:
Actively participate in programs and initiatives designed to uplift their communities and engage constructively with policymakers.
Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF):
Commit to organizing a follow-up Critical Roundtable of Expert Stakeholders within the next six months to develop an actionable implementation policy framework based on the recommendations of this roundtable. The Foundation will ensure the involvement of diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and development partners, to establish concrete strategies for translating resolutions into impactful initiatives.
CONCLUSION
The Stakeholders’ Roundtable concluded with a renewed commitment to addressing the multifaceted challenges facing youth in Northern Nigeria. Stakeholders pledged to translate the resolutions and recommendations into actionable initiatives that would foster sustainable development, economic empowerment, and an improved quality of life for the region’s youth. Recognizing the critical role of political will in driving change, stakeholders emphasized their determination to align policies, resources, and governance frameworks to ensure the effective implementation of these initiatives.
The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation reaffirmed its dedication to monitoring the progress of these commitments, advocating for sustained political support, and facilitating continuous dialogue among stakeholders to achieve lasting solutions for Northern Nigeria’s youth.
Signed
Engr. (Dr) Abubakar Gambo Umar
Director General
