By Joseph Erunke

The Katsina State Government is set to launch a Leadership and Mentorship Programme alongside the establishment of the Katsina State Youth Parliament (KSYP) as part of efforts to deepen youth participation in governance and develop future leaders.

The initiative, championed by Governor Dikko Umar Radda, is designed to provide young people with structured exposure to leadership, policymaking and public service, while positioning the state as a model for youth-driven governance in Nigeria.

Officials say the twin programmes will engage youths drawn from all 34 constituencies of the state, offering them hands-on leadership training, mentorship opportunities and simulated legislative experience.

According to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Engr. Surajo Yazid Abukur, the initiative represents a strategic investment in the future of Katsina State.

“By connecting young people with accomplished leaders and exposing them to practical leadership experiences, we are creating pathways for responsible citizenship, innovation and public service,” Abukur said.

He added that the programme, alongside the Youth Parliament, would serve as a strong platform for youth empowerment, leadership development and governance participation.

Under the scheme, participants will be selected through a transparent process across the state’s constituencies and will undergo intensive training in leadership and legislative processes.

They will also participate in mentorship sessions with senior figures from both the public and private sectors, as well as study tours of key government institutions within and outside the state.

The curriculum, according to officials, will include policy dialogues, capacity-building workshops and direct engagement with experienced policymakers aimed at equipping participants with practical governance skills.

At the centre of the initiative is the Katsina State Youth Parliament, modelled after the State House of Assembly, which will provide a platform for young people to debate issues, develop policy ideas and build legislative competence.

Programme Coordinator and Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Idris Zakari, described the initiative as a landmark intervention in youth development and governance inclusion.

He said consulting firms A1 Efficient Consult Limited and Lexmora Policy & Advocacy Initiative have been engaged to support implementation, citing their experience in youth leadership and capacity-building programmes.

Zakari commended Governor Radda’s commitment to youth development, noting that Katsina has continued to gain national recognition for youth-focused governance initiatives.

He recalled the state’s hosting of a plenary session of the Nigerian Youth Parliament as part of earlier efforts to boost youth engagement in legislative processes.

He described the new programmes as a “sustainable investment” in leadership development, adding that they are aimed at producing competent and visionary future leaders.

With the launch of the initiatives, the Katsina State Government says it is laying the foundation for inclusive governance where young people play active roles in shaping the state’s political, social and economic future.