Press Release
The Ministerial list that has now been officially made public by the Nigerian senate has expectedly drawn reactions from several quarters. As a coalition of young people actively engaged in governance and democracy in the country, we are sad that we are again on a familiar road. This is the path again where we begin to advocate for proper youth representation in governance.
We are shocked that the present ministerial nominee has no single representation of young people who were born in the 70’s or the 80’s. We did not expect that President Muhammadu Buhari’s list of 21 Ministers, which came after a long six months wait will not have a single youth’s name on it especially when he was the Federal Commissioner – the equivalent of a minister today – for Petroleum and Natural Resources in 1976 at the age of 34. Curiously, the president seeks to retain the portfolio 39 years after. We hold no grudge against him for this decision as long as Nigeria is better for it. We assumed the long wait for the list was also in part due to the president’s search for capable hands. Our definition of youth is in tandem with that provided by the African Youth Charter, which was ratified by the African Union Heads of State and Government, which numerically classifies them as those between the age of 15 and 35. We are further taken aback by the presidency’s seeming dismissal to this demography especially given the roles several of them played towards the actualization of the President Muhammadu Buhari and his party’s political dream of getting into office through democratic means.
The president body language and leadership in this regard does not mean well especially because state governments will quickly learn from this and also shut out young people from representative governance in the states. Beyond the ministerial list, we are also quick to note that there has not been anybody below the age of 35 that has been appointed to be part of the president’s team thus far.
There are evidences that shows Nigeria parades some of the finest youth on the continent, who can hold their own any where in the world. We are forced to ask – is it that the country’s investment in young people is just a routine process and our country’s leadership does not believe in the capacity of this demography to lead?
It took six months to release these list of 21. We understand that constitutionally, the president is obliged to mark up the figures to 36. We therefore hope this mistake will be corrected; and quickly. Women, despite being about half of the Nigerian population have also been poorly represented with just a meager 14% representation on the ministerial list. The median age of the current list is 56. The presidency can choose to correct this wrong by appointing young women into the Federal Executive Council, as this will serve dual purpose of women and youth representation. It is wrong for any government to make decisions for a group in their absence, especially when they are keen to participate. What the president is saying thus far with its appointment is that he has no confidence in today’s youth even when the same country gave him the opportunity to grow into leadership at an early age. Nigerian youth have earned the right to a space in the leadership of this country and we hope the presidency will listen and do the needful. When we are not given the opportunity to lead today, we are simply being denied of the experience needed to lead properly when that elusive future finally comes.
Organisation Name | City, State | Name of Contact Person |
Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative | Abuja, FCT | Nkiruka Nnaemego |
Connected Development [CODE] | Abuja | Hamzat Lawal |
Young African Voices for Peace Initiative | Lagos | Comrade Peter, Kalu |
Waveguides Energy | Lagos | Abdullahi Muhammed |
Opportuniti.org Initiative | Ilorin, Kwara | Wale Bakare |
inspire youth initiative | Kano, Kano | Abubakar Ibrahim |
Omowumi Asubiaro-Dada & Co | Abuja, FCT | Omowumi Asubiaro-Dada |
Better Nigeria Initiative (BNI) | Ibadan, Oyo State | John Oluwadero |
OneLife Initiative for Human Development | Ibadan, Oyo State | Sola Fagorusi |
German International Cooperation | FCT Abuja | Ene Macharm |
Nyesom Global | Rivers State | Jennifer Nyesom |
Impact Makers World | Ibadan, Oyo | Ayodele Kotila |
Conference 5, Nigeria. | Ibadan, Oyo State | OLATUNJI Oluwabukola |
Manifesteen Missions and Media | Lekki, Lagos | Lekan Oyekanmi |
Creative Media Centre For Development | FCT | Jonah Akufai |
Youth arise | Lagos, | Azeez Omotayo Awolola |
Omojomi Consultancy Services | Jos, Plateau State | Isaac Oni |
Christian Youths for Change | Port Harcourt, Rivers | Tammy Solomon |
MASS City Tours | Lagos, Lagos State | Tolulope Toluwase |
future nigerian leaders youth initiative | kano. kano | Abba Talba |
WeAreMAD Initiative | Akure, Ondo State | Joy Tony |
YOUTH INITIATIVE FOR HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (YHEACOD) | ABAKALIKI, EBONYI | IBIAM IRO |
Eyin ju Eledumare | lagos state | Aderonke Adeola |
Young Leaders Network | Bauchi | Jeremiah Panshak Kassem |
Emerging Leaders Forum | Lagos, Lagos | Olufemi Owosela |
CONGRESS OF IMO YOUTHS | ABUJA | AHAMEFULE CHIJIOKE |
PADEAP, Nigeria | Katsina | RABIU Umar Maska |
Climate Wednesday | Yaba, Lagos | Olumide Idowu |
VOICE OF YOUTH | ABUJA | ABDULRAHMAN LAWAL |
Brains and Beauty | Abuja Nigeria | Cynthia Ferdinand Ifionu |
Climate and Sustainable Development Network | Enugu State | Pius Oko |
Centre for Leadership and Social Enterprise Development | Abuja | Ikechukwu Nwibe |
VSO | FCT, Abuja | Uzoamaka Nwachukwu |
None | Kano | Saada sàad |
Young and Potential Entrepreneur’s Forum | Ile-Ife | AKINGUNOLA Joel |
NASFAT, Youth Wing | Ikeja, Lagos | Adegboyega Adeoye |
AIESEC Nigeria Alumni | Ife, Osun State | Rosiji M. Ajesola |
independent | Olamide Santos | |
the muse group | Abuja | Agbaje |
ZUNA | Harare, Zimbabwe | Yvonne Shapeta |
Purple Signet Media | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | Natalie Usen |
Global Power Shift | Lagos | Emmanuel Adomeh |
AllforDevelopment | Abeokuta, Ogun State | Damola Morenikeji |
HAPPYNigeria | Abuja | Dr Laz Ude Eze |
World Merit Nigeria | Port Harcourt, Rivers State | Chiefson Nwaiwu |
HiGhflyers Initiative | Ondo State | Sam Adeniji |
Organization for African Youth for Development & Peace | Lagos | Temidayo Musa |
Imo State University | owerri,Imo State | Anoruo Modesta Amarachi |
Community & Youth Enhancement Initiatiative | Aba, Abia | Chima Jeff Megwei |
global conmunity peace network initiative | abuja | Queen Ehirim |
personal | lagos | Enilari AbdulAzeez O. |
Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) | Abuja, FCT, Nigeria | Ibrahim Faruk |
Bunor models | Lagos | David Alechenu |
Foundation of African Youth (FAY) | FCT, Abuja | Ibrahim Sule |
SPADE | Lagos | olumide Mo |
FINISHSTRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE VULNERABLE | LAGOS | PEGGY OVAT |
Godfrey Okoye University Enugu | Enugu, Enugu State | Okpara Scofield |
Global Youth Ambassador at A Word At School | Lagos Nigeria | Eniola Olowu |
Slum2school Africa | Lagos | Ifeoma Arua |
Foundation For Environmental Rights,Advocacy & Development(FENRAD) | Aba,Abia State | Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor |
Yaiga Jos | Jos,Plateau state | christian Akpabio |
Initiative for the Support and Promotion of Human Shelter (ISPHS) | FCT, Abuja | Desmond Chieshe |
National youth coalition on Education | Makurdi Benue | Barbara Aza |
arisenigeria | fct, abuja | jasper johnson |
African Society Care and development Initiative | Ebonyi State | Otuonye Nnenna |
GreenAid | Kaduna | Dr. Tabi Joda |
AREI | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire | Mamadou Djemory Diabate |
Global initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation- (African Green Movement) | Abuja | David Michael |
Foundation For Environmental Rights,Advocacy & Development(FENRAD) | Aba,Abia State | Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor |
TREES ON EARTH Development Foundation | ogori/Magongo, Kogi | MOSES ADEDEJI |
Women and Children Development Initiative | Umuahia,Abia | Dr.Tessy Ugo Madu |
Youth Initiative for Advocacy Growth and Advancement | Gombe, Gombe | Abdullahi Auwal |
Initiative for Mass Education Against Corruption (IMEAC) | Abuja | Hon(Dr) Friday Paul Sani |
Alfattah resources enterprisea | iffo,ogun | yisa ibrahim |
evidence for action | abuja | ijeoma oforka |
Development & Integrity Intervention Goal Foundation (DIG Nigeria) | Afikpo South LGA, Ebonyi State | AJAH CHIMA OLIVER |
leads entertainment outfit | abuja | echezoba t. nwosu |
Tritium Communications | Festac ,Lagos State | Emeka Ulor |
Tritium Communications | Festac ,Lagos State | Nnenna Ogoke |
Habitatcare and Protection Initiative | Owerri, Imo | Tony Ayoka |
Get Involve Campaign | FCT, Abj | Morgan Omodu |
Speak Out Initiative -Nigeria | Abuja | Bukhari Muhammed Bello jega |
Jesus Concept Outreach | Lagos | Folarin Oluwaseun |
International Youth Council, Lagos Chapter. | Lagos State | Ogunshola Micheal |
ANUNSA UI | Ibadan,Oyo state | Nwoke Amos |
Network of Youth Advocate (NOYA) | FCT – Abuja | Gabriel Adeyemo |
WIPGG Nigeria | Onitsha, Anambra | Nkiru Ukaegbu |
YIAGA | ELEME, RIVERS STATE | Benson Ollor |
Peace and Humanitarian Support for Youth Foundation | Jos, Plateau | Yau Yakubu |
center for the advocacy of justice and rights | jos,plateau | etty peter |
Treasureland Health Builders Initiative | Lagos | Ifesinachi Sam-Emuwa |
Igbo women congress | Atlanta GA | Ngozi Orabueze |
World Merit Nigeria | Uyo, Akwa Ibom | Unyimeabasi Ben |
Abibiman Foundation | Tema-Ghana | Kenneth Nana Amoateng |
AYICC-Ghana | Tema-Ghana | Kenneth Nana Amoateng |
Youth Builders Initiative | Lagos | Babamole Ramon Olanrewaju |
African Youth Panel | Kenya | Gladys Gatiba |
BILAU IBRAHIM | AKURE | BILAU IBRAHIM |
Women Health and Action Research Centre | Edo state | Isaac Ejakhegbe |
dazz couture | akure, ondo state | Thelma omoefe |
Afrotecht | Ibadan,Oyo state | Olatunji Peace |
New Century Initiative | Enugu | Nebo Obinna Collins |
Saied | Kaduna | Sulaiman Saied Tafida |
Conference for The Defense of Democracy in Nigeria (CFDDN) | Yola, Adamawa State | Aliyu Balla |
Initiative for Sound Education, Relationship & Health | Ilesa, Osun | Abdulahi Abayomi Abdulraheem |
ACMEBOUND NIGERIA | Akure, Ondo State | Ayodele Awi |
Youth Development Forum, Mariga | Mariga. Niger state | Umar Mamman Alhaji |
African Artists Peace Initiative | Johannesburg | Koketso Marishane |
Mary Kay Cosmetics | london UK | Iman Sulaiman-Ibrahim |
YMCA MADA HILLS | NASARAWA STATE LAFIA | Moses Danjuma Kusko |
Nagarta Solidarity Front | Taraba State | Ibrahin J. Manga |
#ReadABookNigeria Initiative | Abuja FCT | Uma Nnenna |
Pearlstra | Lagos | Ajani Bless-me |
Me Myself & I for Progress | Surulere, Lagos | Philip Oke |
Pearlstra | Lagos | Ajani Hope |
Convention pour l’Emergence du Sénégal – Coalition Agenda Post2015 (C.E.S.-C.A.P2015) | Dakar, Senegal | Stephane NDOUR |
OGONI YOUTH ADVANCEMENT NETWORK | BORI-PORTHARCOURT,RIVERS STATE | EWUNEE CONFIDENCE DUMKA |
United Imo Youth Movement | Imo State | Ugochukwu Nkechi |
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