Youth Coalition launches Project For New Political Leadership

As Nigeria celebrated its 65th independence anniversary, a coalition of young leaders and stakeholders gathered in Abuja to launch the Future Is Now Project, a movement designed to expand youth participation in political leadership across the country.

The event, held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, brought together politicians, civil society leaders, student representatives, and development partners who pressed for a generational shift in governance.

Speakers at the gathering stressed that young Nigerians should no longer be seen as leaders of tomorrow but as active leaders of today. They argued that delay, exclusion, and denial of space in politics have denied the country the benefit of its youthful population, which makes up more than 70 percent of citizens.

The coalition unveiled a set of ambitious goals to be achieved by the next election cycle. These include ensuring that the majority of local government chairmanship seats, state assembly positions, and House of Representatives seats are contested and won by candidates under 40, while also reserving half of executive appointments at federal and state levels for Nigerians below that age bracket.

To achieve these targets, the group pledged to push for inclusion through lobbying, negotiations, and mobilising support for credible youth candidates across all political parties. Mentorship programmes, leadership training, and cross-cultural alliances will also be used to strengthen youth representation and prepare young leaders for governance.

The Interim Chairman of the project, Rep Abdussamad Dasuki, described the launch as the beginning of a national movement that demands sacrifice from older politicians. He urged elder statesmen and women to serve as mentors while yielding more space for younger generations to take up leadership roles.

Dasuki also reflected on Nigeria’s political history, pointing out that young leaders once shaped the country’s early years but have since been pushed aside. He noted that despite the passage of the Not Too Young To Run Act in 2018, structural and political barriers still prevent genuine youth inclusion.

He warned that excluding young people from governance risks creating widespread frustration and instability. Drawing from global examples, he cautioned that political alienation of youth can lead to unrest and urged immediate action to avert such outcomes in Nigeria.

The event also introduced the interim governance structure of the Future Is Now Project and launched its membership registration portal, www.futureisnow.ng. Plans were announced for a larger national convention in the first quarter of 2026 to further drive the initiative.

The gathering attracted several dignitaries, including former Minister of Youth Solomon Dalung, lawmakers Ibrahim Bello Haliru, Henry Shield, Salisu Yakassai, and David Oloto. Convener Nicole Nwosu and Ibrahim Zanna also made presentations, while goodwill messages came from civil society leaders, youth representatives, and development partners.

For the coalition, the independence anniversary offered a timely backdrop to call for a leadership renewal where Nigeria’s young majority will no longer wait on the sidelines but take charge of shaping the nation’s future.