A team from the Youth Advocacy Campaign on Accelerating Implementation of the Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Roadmap has paid an advocacy visit to the Kaduna State Ministry of Youth Development to present a letter of nomination and appointment to the Honorable Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim, as the Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Champion.
The visit, which took place on October 29, 2025, was supported by the Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation and the Lafiya Programme. It aimed to strengthen collaboration between the Ministry and youth-focused organizations towards the full implementation of the Demographic Dividends Roadmap — a strategic framework designed to harness the potential of young people for sustainable development in Kaduna State.
The meeting had in attendance the Honorable Commissioner and her management team, alongside representatives from youth organizations including the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Technical Working Group on Strengthening Social Protection System, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), OpenGov Youth Innovation Hub, Lifelyne Creative Company, and the Society for Equitable Development Foundation (SED).
Commissioner Appointed Demographic Dividends Champion
During the session, the advocacy team presented a formal letter of appointment to Barrister Gloria Ibrahim, conferring on her the prestigious role of Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Champion. The appointment, according to the delegation, recognizes her unwavering commitment to youth development, empowerment, and civic engagement across the state.
In their presentation, the team outlined key advocacy requests, urging the Ministry to:
- Partner with the advocacy group to raise public awareness on the Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Report;
- Serve as the Secretariat for the coordination mechanism for implementing the Roadmap; and
- Champion the development of an Implementation Plan and Monitoring & Evaluation Framework, with support from development partners.
Commissioner Pledges Support
Responding, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for their dedication to youth advancement and civic inclusion. She reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to empowering young people in line with the vision of Governor Uba Sani’s administration.
The Commissioner commended the Youth Advocacy Campaign for its initiative and pledged the Ministry’s full cooperation, accepting all advocacy requests presented. She assured the team that her office would champion the Roadmap’s implementation to ensure that youth priorities remain central to the state’s development agenda.
Key Resolutions
At the end of the meeting, several resolutions were adopted, including:
- The organization of a technical session to educate officials of the Ministry of Youth Development on the content, relevance, and strategies for implementing the Demographic Dividends Roadmap.
- The joint development of a work plan to guide coordinated implementation between the Ministry and the advocacy campaign.
- Integration of the Demographic Dividends agenda into state youth policies and annual budget processes, ensuring sustainability.
- Collaboration with media organizations to promote awareness, showcase achievements, and inspire youth engagement across Kaduna State.
Signatories
The communiqué was signed by Sumayya Abdullahi Hussaini, Co-chair, OGP TWG on Strengthening Social Protection System; Christopher Atsen, Coordinator, YALI Kaduna; Hassan John, Speaker, YAN Kaduna; Aaron Samiala Ayuba, President, Association of Students with Disability, Kaduna State University; Benjamin Sheyin, Member, OpenGov Youth Innovation Hub; and Shim Kajang, representing the Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation.
READ COMMUNIQUE BELOW
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE ADVOCACY VISIT BY A TEAM FROM THE YOUTH ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN ON ACCELERATING IMPLEMENTATION OF KADUNA STATE DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDENDS ROADMAP TO THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Preamble
On October 29, 2025, the Youth Advocacy Campaign on Accelerating Implementation of Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Roadmap, supported by Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation and Lafiya Programme, paid a courtesy visit to the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth Development, Kaduna State.
The primary objective of the visit was twofold: to present the letter of nomination and appointment as the Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Champion, and to secure the Commissioner’s commitment to partner with the Youth Advocacy Campaign in driving the implementation of the Roadmap.
The meeting had in attendance the Honorable Commissioner, her management team, and representatives from various youth organizations, such as OGP TWG on Strengthening Social Protection System, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), OpenGov Youth Innovation Hub, Lifelyne Creative Company and Society for Equitable Development Foundation (SED).
Key Highlights
1. The Youth Advocacy Campaign team expressed sincere appreciation to the Honorable Commissioner for her unwavering commitment to youth development and empowerment in Kaduna State. In a symbolic gesture of recognition, the team presented her with a letter of appointment, formally conferring on her the esteemed role of Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Champion.
2. The team made the following advocacy asks:
– Partnership with the Advocacy Group to raise public awareness on the demographic dividends report.
– The Ministry of Youth Development, in view of its mandate, should take up responsibility as the Secretariat for the coordination mechanism for the implementation of the roadmap.
– Champion the development of an implementation plan and monitoring & evaluation framework, with support from development partners.
3. The Honorable Commissioner warmly welcomed the advocacy team and reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to youth development, empowerment, and participation, as envisioned by the Governor.
4. In a significant gesture of support, she accepted all the advocacy requests and pledged to champion the implementation of the Demographic Dividends Roadmap, solidifying her Ministry’s partnership with the Youth Advocacy Campaign.
Key Resolutions
1. The Youth Advocacy Campaign on Demographic Dividends Roadmap shall schedule a technical session to educate the Ministry of Youth Development and its staff on the Demographic Dividends Roadmap, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of its content, significance, and implementation strategies. Following the session, a joint work plan shall be developed to guide coordinated implementation.
2. The partnership shall work towards institutionalizing the Demographics dividend agenda within state Youth Policies and annual budget budget processes.
3. Both the Ministry and the Youth Advocacy Campaign shall explore collaboration with media organizations to publicize achievements, inspire youth engagement, and promote awareness in the state.
Signed:
Sumayya Abdullahi Hussaini,
Co-chair,
Open Government Partnership (OGP) TWG on Strengthening Social Protection System
Christopher Atsen
Coordinator,
Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Kaduna
Hassan John
Speaker,
Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Kaduna
Aaron Samiala Ayuba
President,
Association of Students with Disability, Kaduna State University (KASU)
Benjamin Sheyin,
Member,
OpenGov Youth Innovation Hub
Shim Kajang
Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation
