The Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general election, citing the need for policy continuity and deeper inclusion of youths in governance.
The endorsement was announced on Monday at the end of a high-level youth leadership and stakeholders’ engagement held in Maitama, Abuja.
The engagement brought together youth leaders, professionals, grassroots mobilisers and political stakeholders drawn from across the 19 northern states to deliberate on national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the event, the National Leader of the forum, Gamji Murtala, said the endorsement followed a review of the administration’s policies and the role of young people in sustaining democratic governance.
“After a careful assessment of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the reforms currently being implemented, we have taken the position that continuity will allow these policies to mature and deliver long-term benefits to Nigerians,” he said.
Murtala noted that Nigerian youths remained central to national stability and democratic consolidation, stressing that exclusion from governance processes had often limited their contribution to development.
“Young people are not just voters or campaign tools. They are stakeholders whose energy, ideas and innovation are needed in policy formulation and implementation,” he added.
He said the forum was committed to mobilising youths across Northern Nigeria in a peaceful and issue-based manner, while promoting national unity and responsible civic engagement.
The Director of Operations of the forum, Dr Agbana John, said the group resolved to institutionalise the Renewed Hope Ambassadors platform to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and policy advocacy.
“The Renewed Hope Ambassadors initiative will provide a structured network for leadership development, policy advocacy and community engagement at the grassroots level,” he said.
According to him, the platform would also focus on political education, peacebuilding and enlightenment, particularly among first-time voters and young professionals.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the engagement, the forum observed that there was increasing demand among youths for structured inclusion in governance, policy dialogue and development implementation at national, state and local government levels.
The group further noted that youth-led platforms had become critical channels for political education, national integration and conflict prevention, especially in diverse and multi-ethnic societies such as Nigeria.
It also resolved to strengthen partnerships with government institutions, development partners, traditional and community leaders, as well as the private sector, to promote youth-focused initiatives in leadership, entrepreneurship and civic education.
The forum called on public institutions to deepen youth-inclusive governance frameworks and create more opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes.
“We believe that sustainable development can only be achieved when government, youth organisations, communities and the private sector work together in a coordinated manner,” the communiqué stated.
Participants at the engagement also pledged to promote peace and responsible political conduct, while rejecting violence, misinformation and divisive narratives ahead of future political activities.
The forum reaffirmed its commitment to building a disciplined, informed and development-driven youth movement dedicated to democratic continuity, national cohesion and sustainable progress.
The engagement ended with a collective pledge by participants to serve as ambassadors of responsible leadership, peaceful mobilisation and strategic youth advocacy across Northern Nigeria.
