Shettima Warns Nigeria Risks Wasting Youth Advantage Without Leadership Investment

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has warned that the country’s large youthful population will amount to little without urgent and structured investment in leadership development.

Speaking in Abuja at the 2026 Abuja Dialogue, Shettima said Nigeria must adopt a new national framework to deliberately build youth leadership capacity, stressing that the country risks losing its demographic advantage if proactive steps are not taken.

He emphasised that young people must be equipped not only with education and skills but also with governance exposure and leadership training to prepare them for national responsibilities.

Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu highlighted ongoing efforts through leadership and governance training initiatives, noting that such programmes are already exposing young Nigerians to practical policy-making experience.

According to him, the initiative is helping to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real governance practice, while preparing a new generation of public leaders.

Officials at the Dialogue said the forum is designed to place youth leadership at the centre of national development planning and encourage stronger collaboration between government and youth-focused institutions.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, was also referenced in discussions around expanding institutional support for youth development programmes, particularly through skills and innovation-driven education reforms.

Stakeholders at the event called for sustained investment in leadership academies and structured mentorship systems to ensure young Nigerians are better positioned for future governance roles.