African Democratic Congress youth inclusion plan promises true leadership roles and policy reform for Nigeria’s youth, reigniting hopes for meaningful political change
African Democratic Congress Youth Inclusion took centre stage during this year’s International Youth Day celebration, as party leaders vowed to end youth marginalisation in Nigeria’s political and governance landscape.
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Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, ADC Interim National Chairman David Mark, represented by coalition leader Salihu Lukman, and National Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai, assured young Nigerians of genuine inclusion—not as symbolic figures but as key decision-makers within the party and future governments.
“ADC is your home,” Mark declared. “We are opening the doors for the next generation—not as a gesture, but as a commitment. Our policies, candidate selection, and leadership roles will ensure real inclusion.”
Mark explained that the ADC constitution mandates 35% of leadership positions for women, while ensuring that youth under 40 hold critical roles in leadership across all levels—from ward to national.
The party, he said, is rejecting the politics of imposition and favouritism in favour of “collective leadership and ideological governance.”
“We won’t leave Nigeria’s direction to chance. ADC will be known as a party of ideology, policy, and patriotic service,” he said.
The event was held to mark International Youth Day (IYD) 2025, themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” which highlights the pivotal role of youth in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through community-based leadership.
In his address, ADC National Youth Leader Balarabe Rufai issued a stirring call for urgency and action, citing Nigeria’s deepening crises in education, unemployment, poverty, and security.
“Despite Nigeria having the largest youth population in Africa, our young people remain the most economically disadvantaged since independence,” Rufai stated.
“Over 20 million children are out of school, food inflation is at 33%, and youth unemployment is above 53%.”
He condemned the political elite for turning a blind eye to these realities, arguing that transforming Nigeria requires more than GDP figures and empty campaign slogans.
“The same leaders boasting of economic growth ignore the empty classrooms and overcrowded prisons. That’s not just policy failure—it’s a moral crime,” Rufai said.
He also highlighted alarming security statistics, with over 12,000 deaths from violent attacks recorded in 2024 alone, many of which impacted youth-dominated communities.
Calling on Nigerian youth to organise, not agonise, Rufai passionately declared that the ADC is ready to hand over real power to young people, not as ornaments, but as leaders of consequence.
“E don reach,” he said, borrowing from local street parlance. “The incumbents may have started with power, but if the youth organise, we will finish with victory.”
He unveiled ADC’s youth-focused agenda, which includes:
- Investing in agro-processing and renewable energy
- Funding tech startups and education reform
- Strengthening community policing and local security
- Ensuring SDG policies are tailored to developing country realities
Both leaders urged global bodies, including the United Nations, to adopt differentiated development goals for developing countries, noting that current SDG frameworks fail to address Africa’s unique context.
“We must break the chains of youth exclusion and build systems that serve all citizens,” Rufai said. “The ADC is not loyal to any tribe or region. Our loyalty is to Nigeria.”
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As Nigeria inches closer to the 2030 SDG deadline, the African Democratic Congress Youth Inclusion strategy may prove pivotal in shaping a new generation of leadership—grounded in policy, powered by people, and ready for change.
