By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – IN a move to strengthen youth participation in governance, no fewer than 30 young leaders in Edo State have been trained in legislative process, leadership and governance skills.

The training was with the theme: ‘Youth for policy advocacy and development’ led by the founder of Dignified Future Initiative (DFI), Dignity Amenaghawon, with support from the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and funded by the European Union (EU).

The programme, held in Benin City, Nigeria, brought together members of the Edo State Youth Parliament, student union leaders, and emerging civic actors for an intensive capacity-building engagement aimed at transforming youth participation in governance from symbolic representation to meaningful policy influence.

Speaking, Amenaghawon noted that the programme was inspired by growing concerns over the ineffectiveness of youth representation structures, stressing the need to reposition young people as active contributors to governance.

According to him, “For too long, youth platforms have remained largely symbolic. This initiative is about equipping young leaders with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to actively engage governance institutions, influence policy, and drive accountability,” he said.

He further emphasised that the programme aligned with the EU and global commitment to strengthen democratic governance and youth inclusion in Nigeria.

“We are grateful for the support of the European Union, whose investment made it possible to directly support participants and create a platform for practical learning and engagement,” he added.

Participants were exposed to practical sessions on legislative processes, leadership, and advocacy, with many expressing readiness to engage policymakers and drive change within their communities.

A key outcome of the initiative was the development of a policy recommendation advocating the establishment of an Edo State Youth Advisory Council to institutionalise youth participation in governance.

Amenaghawon described this as a major milestone: “The policy recommendation reflects a shift from learning to action. It shows that young people are not just ready to participate but are prepared to contribute meaningfully to governance with structured ideas and solutions.”

Looking ahead, Amenaghawon stressed the importance of sustained engagement: “This is just the beginning. Our focus now is to build on this momentum through mentorship, follow-up engagements, and continuous capacity development to ensure these young leaders translate knowledge into impact.”

He commended the EU for supporting his foundation, noting that the programme represented a significant step toward strengthening youth-driven governance and fostering a new generation of informed, proactive, and accountable leaders in Nigeria and beyond.