The future of Nigeria rests on its youth, who constitute the largest population segment and are crucial for national progress, innovation, and sustainable development. Recognising this, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, has committed to fostering dialogue between the legislature and young Nigerians. This commitment includes holding at least two youth town halls annually to ensure youth participation in national governance, especially regarding budgeting. Following a successful first town hall in July 2024, the second was scheduled for 12th December 2024, focusing on youth engagement in the 2025 national budget process.
L-R: Mr Godwin Lasisi and Ms Amara Muonwe, NGYouthSDGs youth champions representing NGYouthSDGs at the Youth Town Hall on the 2025 National Budget
As a youth-led and youth-serving organisation, that advocates for youth rights, developing programs that will ensure young people are equipped to meaningfully participate in the Nation’s development agenda, we were represented by Ms Amara Muonwe and Mr Godwin Lasisi, NGYouthSDGs youth champions at the second town hall meeting.
This session aimed to provide a platform for youth to express their aspirations, priorities, and concerns about government spending and its impact on their future. The town hall aimed to co-create a budget reflecting the ambitions of the youth, empowering them to contribute to national growth and development. This initiative is particularly important as it directly addresses the need for youth inclusion in decision-making processes, ensuring that their voices are heard and their needs are considered in national planning. This direct engagement is essential for building trust between the government and its young citizens, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility in national development. The commitment to holding these town halls annually demonstrates a long-term vision for youth empowerment and participatory democracy in Nigeria.
A snapshot of Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON and participants at the Youth Town Hall on the 2025 National Budget
The town hall took place on the 12th of December, 2024, in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The event was divided into an Opening Ceremony and a Technical Session.
During the opening ceremony, our youth champions networked with other youth representatives and legislators, establishing connections for future collaborations on SDG-related advocacy. The subsequent technical session offered valuable insights into the 2025 budget framework and ministerial priorities. we paid close attention to presentations from ministers whose portfolios aligned with the SDGs, such as education, youth and sports, and environment. The interactive Q&A session was pivotal, allowing a direct conversation with ministers and legislators.
Young people emphasised the importance of adequate funding for youth-focused programs that contribute to SDG achievement, specifically mentioning skills development for decent work (SDG 8) and youth-led climate action initiatives (SDG 13). Also questioned ministers on budget allocations for education (SDG 4) and how these would address challenges faced by young people accessing quality education. Furthermore, young Nigerians advocated for greater transparency and accountability in the budget process, stressing the need for youth involvement in monitoring budget implementation to ensure the effective utilisation of funds for SDG progress.
These contributions by passionate Nigerian youth highlighted the necessity of inter-ministerial collaboration for a holistic approach to SDG implementation, particularly in areas like youth employment and climate change.
A snapshot of Mr Godwin Lasisi and Ms Chimdi Neliaku at the Youth Town Hall on the 2025 National Budget
The Youth Town Hall on the 2025 National Budget effectively addressed its objectives by fostering dialogue, educating youth on budgetary processes, and providing a platform for feedback. This event represents a significant step towards participatory democracy, empowering young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national planning and development. The commitment of the Speaker and other key figures to continue this dialogue through future town halls is commendable and crucial for ensuring the long-term engagement of youth in shaping Nigeria’s future
As an organisation, we believe that this town hall has set a positive precedent for future engagement initiatives and demonstrates the potential for meaningful collaboration between the government, youth-led civil society organisations and young Nigerians. By continuing to provide platforms for dialogue and feedback, the government can create a more inclusive and responsive democracy, ensuring that the voices of young Nigerians are heard and their needs are addressed in national planning.