Kaduna Hosts Policy Dialogue to Harness Youth Demographic Dividend
Kaduna State is set to host a Civic Space Public Policy Dialogue aimed at harnessing its growing youth population for economic transformation, as projections show the state’s population approaching 12.9 million by 2030, with more than 80 per cent under the age of 40.
The dialogue, themed “Harnessing Kaduna’s Demographic Dividend: Mainstreaming Digital-Green Twin Transition into the State Youth Policy,” will hold on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Organisers said the event is designed to generate ideas that will help transform Kaduna’s demographic reality into economic prosperity, particularly in the face of rising youth unemployment estimated at 44 per cent.
The programme is being convened by the Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation in collaboration with Ihifix Innovation Foundation, the Youth Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividend Roadmap, and BREDPAC/Institute of Policy and Budget, Africa. It is supported by partners including the FCDO-Lafiya Programme.
According to the organisers, the dialogue seeks to bridge the gap between existing government policy frameworks and emerging ecosystems in technology and climate action. While Kaduna State’s 2021–2025 Youth Policy provided an initial roadmap, stakeholders say current economic realities demand a shift towards what they described as the “New Economy.”
They explained that the proposed “Digital-Green Twin Transition” approach would integrate opportunities in the gig economy, digital innovation, and green jobs into the core of the revised State Youth Policy.
Activities lined up for the event include a fireside chat between senior state bureaucrats and young innovators, as well as clustered breakout sessions focusing on technology and climate action. Participants in these clusters are expected to identify bottlenecks and develop structured recommendations to feed into the ongoing review of the youth policy.
A “Green-Tech Pitch” session will also provide a platform for local youth entrepreneurs to showcase proof-of-concept innovations directly to policymakers.
Organisers said the dialogue would conclude with the presentation of a technical communiqué and a structured proposal for a new thematic chapter in the revised State Youth Policy, ensuring that young people play a central role in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and digitally driven future for Kaduna State.
The planning committee is chaired by Seth Kuyet Luke.
