Bauchi, UNFPA validate draft youth policy for inclusive development

The Bauchi State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has reviewed and validated the draft state youth policy aimed at providing an inclusive, responsive and sustainable framework for youth development.

The exercise involved the Office of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, with the policy expected to guide youth-related programmes and interventions across the state.

The framework is intended to align with the Bauchi State Development Plan and UNFPA’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, which supports governments in empowering adolescents and young people to reach their potential.

The draft policy was reviewed during a two-day meeting attended by youth-led organisations, faith-based groups, organisations representing persons with disabilities, security agencies, academics, international organisations, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), tertiary institution students, private sector groups, civil society organisations and relevant government ministries.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the state government’s efforts to harness the potential of young people through strategic investments and inclusive development programmes.

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With UNFPA’s support, the policy development process began in October 2024 with consultations across the state’s 20 local government areas. Participants included youth-led organisations, civil society groups, government agencies and persons with disabilities.

A drafting workshop followed in October 2025, bringing together the contributions from the consultations ahead of the 2026 review. The process was designed to strengthen implementation plans, institutional accountability and local ownership of the policy.

The review meeting also provided an opportunity for government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations and young people, including persons with disabilities, to contribute to the document.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the Director-General of the SDGs/AUDA-NEPAD, Lydia John Shehu, said available demographic estimates indicated that young people aged 15 to 35 accounted for about 48.5 per cent of Nigeria’s population, while those aged 10 to 34 represented approximately 44.6 per cent of Bauchi State’s population.

She said the figures highlighted the need for policies that addressed young people’s social, economic, health and leadership needs.

“These figures underscore the urgency of developing inclusive policies that address the existential, economic, social, health, and leadership needs of our young people. Youth development must therefore be understood not merely as a social responsibility, but as a strategic development or investment in peace, security, productivity, and sustainable development.”

Shehu said investing in education and relevant skills could enable young people to contribute to innovation, community development and economic growth.

She warned that neglecting their aspirations could expose them to unemployment, social exclusion, drug abuse, violence and other security challenges.

She added that the Bauchi State Government, under Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, had continued to implement initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and opportunities available to residents, including young people.

She said investments in infrastructure, agriculture, sports and human capital development could help expand opportunities and improve livelihoods.

Shehu urged stakeholders to ensure that the youth policy addressed the needs of young people in urban, semi-urban and rural communities.

She said the document should recognise the diversity of the youth population and address the challenges faced by young women and men, including poverty, limited access to education, unemployment, disability and geographical isolation.

“As we review the policy, we must ask ourselves whether it adequately addresses the aspirations of young people and whether its provision can be translated into measurable improvements in their lives,” she said.

She urged participants to examine the draft carefully and recommend changes that would make the policy more responsive to the needs of young people.

Shehu also highlighted the relationship between youth development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

A representative of the State Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Multilateral Coordination said the ministry would ensure that programmes received the necessary budgetary allocations and funding releases.

He said a reliable youth policy would help the government plan effectively for youth development and empowerment, noting that government employment opportunities were limited.

The Ministry of Youth Development also pledged to participate in the policy development process to ensure the state had a comprehensive framework for youth development.

Other ministries, including Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Justice, as well as other organisations, commended the initiative, describing it as overdue.