2-Day Zonal Consultative Meeting for the Review of the 2019–2023 National Youth Policy (Southwest Edition)

Our Executive Director, dowolegoldmoyinoluwa recently participated in the 2-Day Zonal Consultative Meeting for the Review of the 2019–2023 National Youth Policy (Southwest Edition) held in Ondo State, Nigeria. This strategic gathering was organized by Federal Ministry of Youth in partnership with unfpanigeria, LEAP Africa, YouthhubAfrica .The review served as a vital platform, brought together youth stakeholders and state actors to evaluate the progress of the past four years and chart a new course for the future.

A standout moment during the review was the consultant’s reminder that “policy is politics,” emphasizing that the two are inseparable and that active engagement is the only way to ensure lasting change. This reinforced our belief that young people must be at the table where decisions are made, rather than just being observers of the process.

As a youth-led organization, we made several key recommendations to the policy review. Our advocacy centered on the intentional inclusion of youth with disabilities, the enhancement of physical and mental health services, and the urgent need for climate action.

We also pushed for the decentralization of sexual assault response centers and stronger institutional partnerships to ensure that policy implementation reaches the grassroots level.

We remain dedicated to the pursuit of a policy framework that truly represents the diversity and potential of Nigerian youth.