THE Vice President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (North Central Zone), Amb. Mukhtar Akoshile, who also doubles as the Coordinator of the Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) West Africa Region, has led Nigeria official delegation to the PYU International Youth Day (IYD) 2025 Conference, held from 9th to 12th August, 2025 in Luanda, Republic of Angola.
The high-profile gathering, organized under the Pan-African Youth Union (PYU), convened youth leaders, policymakers, development partners, and civil society stakeholders from Africa, the Arab world, and beyond to deliberate on the theme: “Youth, Global Governance, and the Future of Development.”
Amb. Akoshile chaired a strategic breakout session on “Youth and Global Governance”, delivering an unflinching Nigerian perspective on the state of youth participation in global decision-making.
From the African Union Youth Summits to the United Nations Youth Assemblies, Nigerian youth have been active contributors to Agenda 2063, SDG 4, 8, and 16, and have influenced climate policy through COP negotiations and campaigns like Not Too Young To Run. But much of the time, youth representation at global governance tables is still symbolic — we are invited to speak, but not to decide. We are given the microphone, but not the vote,” he declared.
His remarks struck a chord with delegates, sparking a renewed call for substantive youth inclusion in governance processes at both continental and global levels.
Key outcomes from Nigeria’s participation included:
Strengthening diplomatic and institutional partnerships with youth organizations, UN agencies, and development bodies.
Securing commitments for post conference action plans to translate resolutions into measurable policies.
Raising Nigeria’s profile as a leading continental voice for youth empowerment and governance reform.
Reaffirming his commitment, Amb. Akoshile stated:
Our mission is clear Nigerian youth must not only be present at the table, but must also shape, vote on, and own the policies that define our future.
The Nigerian delegation’s success at PYU IYD 2025 cements the nation’s position as a major driver of youth leadership, governance reform, and continental cooperation.
Signed
Abdullateef Saheed O
S.A Media
Office of the Vice President, NYCN (North Central Zone)