By Our Correspondent
National News – The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area in Lagos State, Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, has emphasized that youth inclusion in governance is essential for national development.
Highlighting the importance of young leaders, Obasa said that “purposeful attention” must be given to the youth, who play a pivotal role in shaping the future.
His remarks came during the Young Elected Local Officials (YELO) Network Summit, which gathered emerging political leaders from nearly 40 African countries.
The summit focused on strengthening youth participation in governance, enhancing leadership capacity, and promoting inclusive local policies that reflect the aspirations of Africa’s growing youth population.
Obasa, son of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa, noted that Nigeria’s involvement demonstrates its commitment to democratic local governance and responsive city development.
He stressed, “The youths are the future. There is a need to implement policies that support them.”
Organizers of the YELO Network explained that the platform empowers young officials through training, peer review, and benchmarking, aiming to improve their performance at local and national levels.
Obasa’s attendance highlights Agege Local Government’s commitment to innovative, youth-driven leadership and reinforces Nigeria’s growing influence in continental governance discussions.
The summit also served as a platform for policy dialogue, exchange of best practices, and peer learning in urban management, territorial governance, and service delivery.
It featured plenary sessions, workshops, and strategic engagements to foster cooperation among young leaders and strengthen partnerships with other global youth networks.
This initiative aligns with UCLG Africa’s vision of preparing the next generation of political leaders capable of driving sustainable development across African cities and communities.
By prioritizing youth inclusion, Africa can ensure responsive governance that reflects the needs and potential of its young population.
