In observance of the 2025 International Youth Day, prominent Nigerian women leaders have charged young people to remain resiliently committed and lead with dignity.
They also urged them to uphold ethical values and strive for social good, stressing that real change starts at home and can create ripple effects from local communities to the global stage.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, commended Nigerian youths for their proactive role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“They’re not waiting, they’re leading. It’s time to match their energy with real partnership and co-create a better future, today!” she said.
Global impact
The Executive Director of NEXIM Bank, Stella Okotete, urged Nigerian youths to let local actions become the foundation for global impact, adding that the nation’s possibilities are limitless when young people lead with vision, integrity, and courage.
“I am proof that Nigerian youth can lead with dignity, ethics, and impact. We can drive sustainable development, innovate solutions for our communities, and inspire our nation toward inclusive growth. Happy International Youth Day!” she declared.
Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, lauded the pivotal role of youth in achieving the SDGs and driving community resilience. She commended their innovation, creativity, and passion in building a safer, more sustainable Nigeria.
“Through collaborations with youth-focused organisations, NEMA recognizes and harnesses the power of young people in advancing disaster risk reduction, emergency management, and community resilience,” she emphasised.
Also speaking, Director-General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Aisha Augie, said the 2025 theme aligns with CBAAC’s mission and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aspirations for inclusive growth and people-driven development.
“Nigeria is leading in the drive towards these aspirations, in line with our Renewed Hope Agenda. By equipping our youth with skills rooted in our rich cultural heritage and matched with modern innovation, we are building the Africa we want,” she stated.
She added that this vision ties directly to UN SDGs 4, 8, 9, and 12, stressing that Nigerian youth are “architects of progress, blending heritage with modern tools to achieve sustainable growth.”
“Our youth are not just participants in this vision, they are its architects, combining the wisdom of our heritage with the tools of modern progress,” she affirmed.
Locally relevant
National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Aisha Ibrahim, encouraged youths to engage in community development by identifying locally relevant problems and creating culturally appropriate solutions.
“They must stay committed by continuing to build change from down to up, and remain optimistic despite the challenges of modern times,” she advised.
Chairman of the FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Grace Ike, stressed that youth participation in policymaking is vital for the success of Nigeria’s development agenda.
“Young people here embody our nation’s greatest asset and potential. They hold the key to the innovation, peace, and sustainable progress that our country needs,” she said.
She further charged, “Let us reaffirm our collective commitment to building a Nigeria where youth actions resonate locally and inspire globally, a Nigeria where young people are recognised, empowered, and celebrated as architects of a brighter tomorrow.”
International Youth Day is celebrated globally on August 12 each year to spotlight the challenges and opportunities facing young people and to honour their contributions to all aspects of global development.
The 2025 theme acknowledges and supports the crucial role of young people in transforming the 17 global goals into practical, localised actions through community-driven solutions.
The theme of the year is Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.
Lateefah Ibrahim