Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has warned that the country’s status as one of the youngest nations in the world could become meaningless without deliberate institutional investment to harness its demographic potential.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the Abuja Dialogue 2026, Shettima stressed that Nigeria’s youthful population should no longer be treated as a mere talking point but as a strategic national reality requiring urgent policy attention. The event was organised by the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.
According to him, the country’s growing youth population risks turning into a liability if investments in education, skills acquisition, and economic opportunities are not prioritised.
“We are one of the youngest nations on earth. That fact should not be treated as a line for conferences or a statistic for brochures. It is a national condition with profound consequences,” Shettima said.
Call for Structured Youth Leadership Development
The Vice President emphasised that Nigeria’s future would depend not only on natural resources or government ambitions, but on the strength of systems designed to ensure leadership continuity.
He advocated a deliberate and forward-looking framework for youth leadership development, noting that leadership must be cultivated through structured pathways rather than left to chance.
Shettima explained that youth leadership should not be seen as a ceremonial transition based on age, but as a continuous process of preparing and integrating young people into governance and nation-building institutions.
Sanwo-Olu Highlights Role of Leadership Academy
Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the dialogue as a strong signal of the federal government’s commitment to youth leadership development.
He noted that the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy serves as a talent incubator, providing young Nigerians with practical exposure to public sector governance.
Sanwo-Olu called for stronger policy frameworks, adequate funding, and political will to transform youth-focused initiatives into sustainable institutions.
Federal Government Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Empowerment
Other government officials echoed the importance of investing in youth development.
Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hadejia, described youth leadership as critical infrastructure that determines the strength of national institutions.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said Nigerian youths are ready to contribute meaningfully to national progress. He added that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to creating enabling platforms for young people to thrive.
Youth at the Centre of National Development
Executive Secretary of the academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, said the collaboration between the federal and Lagos State governments reflects a growing recognition of youth as central to national development.
She noted that the Abuja Dialogue provides an opportunity to build consensus, align institutions, and reposition youth leadership from the margins to the core of policy and governance.
A Critical Moment for Nigeria’s Future
The Abuja Dialogue 2026 comes at a time when governments globally are grappling with rapid technological, economic, and social changes.
For Nigeria, Shettima’s message underscores a pressing reality: without intentional investment and structured planning, the country’s demographic advantage could become a burden rather than a catalyst for growth.
