A civic space dialogue, organised by Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation, has examined strategies for integrating a digital–green twin transition into Kaduna’s ongoing youth policy review.

The dialogue was held on Monday in Kaduna. Yusuf Goje, executive director of Civic Impact, presented an overview of the youth policy review, describing Kaduna’s youth bulge as a strategic economic opportunity.

He recalled that the 2021–2025 youths policy identified Kaduna as a demographic crossroads, with population projections reaching 12.9 million by 2030.

According to Mr Goje, 43 per cent of the population is under age 15, positioning youth as the future workforce driving economic expansion. He stated that current realities remain challenging, citing 35 per cent unemployment among youths aged 15–35.

Mr Goje added that nearly 60 per cent of youths aged 15–24 were classified as ‘Not in Education, Employment, or Training’. He stressed that women constituted 54.6 per cent of the youth population, calling for deliberate gender-responsive interventions.

Mr Goje highlighted health concerns, including that only 17.6 per cent of deliveries occurred in health facilities and that there were just three youth-friendly health centres statewide. He explained that the policy’s five pillars aligned with the Kaduna State Development Plan, covering workforce productivity, health and social welfare, participation, protection, and partnerships.

Mr Goje said the policy categorised youths into low-risk, especially vulnerable groups, and most-at-risk segments to ensure inclusive interventions. He outlined implementation plans anchored on a multi-sectoral coordination framework involving ministries, schools of technology, private hubs, and civil society.

Mr Goje identified gaps in the existing policy, noting that ICT and environmental sustainability are treated separately, limiting green-tech job creation. He said digital skills training remains confined to office software, while environmental action is reduced to conservation and waste management.

Mr Goje proposed integrating green-tech roles, including data analytics for climate-smart agriculture and IoT for smart energy systems. He stressed that the digital transition cannot succeed without power, and the green transition cannot scale without digital monitoring.

Mr Goje called for solar-powered digital hubs to address rural digital exclusion and reduce carbon footprints. He lamented the lack of youth-focused climate finance and proposed a Twin Transition Venture Fund for digital climate solutions.

Mr Goje said the policy review must address the “triple divide” affecting women across gender, digital, and climate dimensions. He advocated explicit quotas for women in agri-tech and green innovation programmes.

He described the digital–green twin Transition as a shift toward a knowledge-based economy integrating digitalisation and sustainability. He said the review would introduce virtual skills hubs, data-driven youth governance, AI literacy, and remote work readiness.

Youth development commissioner, Gloria Ibrahim, said youths’ inclusion remains central to effective governance. She highlighted partnerships with some financial organisations which provide grants and support for youth-led MSMEs.

Ms Ibrahim said government investments in technology hubs and green transport would promote legitimate wealth creation. She urged youths to reject complacency and take responsibility for governance outcomes.

(NAN)