Musaddiq Adam, the senior special assistant on open government partnership to Governor Abba Yusuf, says that youth participation in governance has recorded steady progress.

Mr Adam, in an interview in Abuja, said the state government had continued to create opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to governance and public service.

He said the Yusuf administration had moved beyond symbolic youth inclusion by appointing young people into strategic government positions and creating platforms for them to participate meaningfully in policy formulation and public administration.

According to him, the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment is reflected in the composition of its cabinet, with about 65 per cent of members being youths.

Mr Adam added that his appointment as the senior special assistant on open government partnership also demonstrated the government’s confidence in young leaders.

“As far as I know, I am the only senior special assistant on open government partnership in the country, and that demonstrates his excellency’s commitment to youth inclusion,” he said.

He explained that through the OGP framework, young people were actively participating in policy consultations, budget conversations, civic engagement programmes and accountability initiatives.

According to him, the OGP secretariat also works closely with civil society organisations, youth groups, innovation hubs and development partners to ensure governance remains transparent, participatory and inclusive.

Mr Adam said the administration believed sustainable development could only be achieved when young people were given a seat at the decision-making table.

He further identified the Youth Development Bill, currently before the Kano State House of Assembly, as one of the administration’s key achievements toward institutionalising youth inclusiveness.

According to him, when enacted, the bill will provide a stronger legal framework for youth participation, representation and development across the state.

He also said young innovators, entrepreneurs and civil society organisations had opportunities to contribute to policy formulation through innovation, policy advocacy, budget monitoring and public accountability initiatives.

Mr Adam urged young people to remain actively involved in governance by participating in public consultations, monitoring government projects, volunteering in community development activities and engaging constructively with public institutions.

He advised youths to reject apathy, misinformation, violence and the misuse of social media, while embracing dialogue, innovation, patriotism and accountability.

(NAN)