Arewa youths have called for greater opportunities to participate in Nigeria’s political decision-making, saying young people should be given meaningful roles in shaping the country’s leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The demand was made when a delegation of the Arewa Democratic Stakeholders Forum, led by its National Chairman, Hon. Haruna Sardauna, met with the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, to discuss youth participation and political inclusion.

Sardauna said the engagement was aimed at building stronger cooperation between youth leaders and government institutions while developing practical approaches to some of the challenges limiting young Nigerians from taking active roles in politics, particularly in the Northern region.

The stakeholders also discussed leadership development, youth mobilisation and the need to create platforms through which young people can contribute to political processes beyond being mobilised during election campaigns.

According to the forum, the growing youth population presents an opportunity for Nigeria to bring fresh ideas and energy into governance, but this can only happen when young people are deliberately included in political structures and decision-making processes.

The forum expressed readiness to deepen collaboration with political leaders and relevant institutions to promote a more inclusive political environment, stressing that the 2027 elections should provide an opportunity for young Nigerians, especially those in the North, to move from the margins of politics to active participation in determining the country’s future.