KADUNA, Nigeria— In a move to transform Kaduna State’s massive youth population into an economic powerhouse, stakeholders gathered on Monday, January 26, 2026, for the Civic Space Policy Dialogue.
The event, held at the Kaduna State University (KASU), focused on a pivotal theme: “Harnessing Kaduna Demographic Dividend: Mainstreaming the Digital-Green Twin Transition into the State Youth Policy.”
With projections showing Kaduna’s population hitting 12.9 million by 2030—over 80% of whom are under 40—the dialogue aimed to move beyond passive governance.
Instead, it challenged the youth to take a seat at the table and co-create policies that directly impact their future in a rapidly evolving world.
The “Open Door” Era: Direct Access to Policy
A major highlight of the session was the address by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim. She emphasized that the days of youth being sidelined in policy-making are over.
According to Barr. Ibrahim, the Ministry has officially adopted an “Open Door Policy,” encouraging young innovators to walk in and pitch their ideas directly to the government.
She further revealed that the state has secured strategic partnerships to ensure that these ideas don’t just stay on paper but are funded through available grants.
Beyond Soap Making: The Digital Mandate
While traditional empowerment programs have long focused on vocational trades, Mr. Emmanuel Adikpe, Founder of Ihifix Digital Technologies, delivered a sharp reality check.
He argued that for Kaduna to truly harness its demographic dividend, the government must move beyond teaching skills like tailoring, soap making, and baking.
“We are in 2026. The global economy is digital and green,” Adikpe stated. He urged the government to focus on high-level digital skills to ensure Kaduna’s youth are not left behind in the “New Economy.”
When asked about the common pitfalls young people face when learning new skills, Adikpe pointed to a “survivalist” mindset.
He noted that many focus on immediate daily needs rather than building something with sustainable impact. His final charge to the attendees was simple: Learn to advance.
Understanding the “Twin Transition”
The dialogue centered on the Digital-Green Twin Transition—the idea that technology and environmental sustainability must grow together. This framework is designed to create “Green-Tech” jobs, ranging from AI-optimized agriculture to smart waste management systems.
The Road Ahead: Learning to Relearn
The event concluded with a clear consensus: the 2026 State Youth Policy must be a living document. As tools advance and the climate changes, the ability to “learn to relearn” is now the most valuable skill a young person can possess.
The dialogue ended with the drafting of a technical communiqué that will officially feed into the state’s legislative review, ensuring that the voices heard at KASU today become the laws of tomorrow.
