Lawmaker seeks youths inclusion in govt programmes  

A member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, Mr Abiodun Adesida, has called on the stakeholders to always involve the youths in the government programmes.

Adesida, who represents the Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency of the state, however, lamented that there was a disconnect between education and industry in Nigeria.

The lawmaker stated this on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the 15th West African Students Legislative Summit, held at the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The summit was themed, ‘Innovative leadership and legislative dialogue: empowering emerging leaders to harness youthful energy for nation building.’

Represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Mr Femi Fasan, the federal lawmaker charged that efforts must be made to harness the energy of young people in the country if there is a sincere desire for national development.

He said: “Here at FUTA, you are producing some of Nigeria’s best and brightest minds. Yet, many graduates leave the university only to face a labour market that is not ready for them. This disconnect between education and industry is unacceptable in the 21st century.

“We must recalibrate our curricula to reflect real-world demands. Coding, robotics, renewable energy, agritech, artificial intelligence – these must be embedded into your academic programs, alongside critical soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and civic responsibility. Education must evolve from theory-based instruction to solution-driven innovation.”

“Nigeria is a nation brimming with possibilities. Our greatest resource is not beneath our soil – it walks our streets, fills our campuses, and sits in this auditorium today. Over 75 per cent of our population is under the age of 35. This is not merely statistics; it is a powerful lever for transformation – if we can activate it.

“Yet, we find ourselves in a paradox: abundant youthful energy coexists with deep systemic barriers. High unemployment, under-employment, and social exclusion are dimming the light of our young people’s dreams.”

Adesida recommended that the government must institutionalise youth inclusion through a minimum 30 per cent quota in public sector projects and decision-making committees, saying ” We need to give our youths a seat at the table, that is, we need to involve them in decision-making processes and listen to their perspectives. ”

” Expand N-Power initiative and similar initiatives to focus on high-tech sectors like AI, digital finance, renewable energy, and green agriculture. Youth must be at the centre of our national development agenda – not at its margins.

“Second, for universities like FUTA: launch a credit-bearing ‘Leadership and Innovation Certificate’ program that bridges theory and practice. Establish mentorship schemes that link students with alumni, industry leaders, and policymakers and create an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to solving local economic and development challenges,” he stated.

The lawmaker also recommended that “for the private sector: adopt a ‘skills-for-jobs’ pledge. Open up your offices for internships, apprenticeships, and research partnerships. Fund youth-led startups and provide micro-grants for innovations in technology, agriculture, health, and education. The private sector cannot afford to stand aloof – it must co-invest in Nigeria’s youth capital.”

” For the youth themselves, stop waiting to be invited – claim your space. Start something; volunteer; learn a new skill; join a community organisation; use your voice for advocacy, not just agitation. Your potential is not limited by where you were born or what you have; it is defined by what you are willing to build, endure, and transform. You are not just future leaders; you are current change makers,” he charged.