By Mercy Onyenweli

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day (IYD) 2026, the Chairman of the Edo State Youth Council, Moses Agiwinede Joseph, has called on governments at all levels to give greater priority to youth development, insisting that Ministries of Youth Affairs should receive the highest budgetary allocation because of the critical role young people play in the country’s development.

Joseph made the call while speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Benin City on youth participation in governance, leadership, politics and national development, stressing that no meaningful development can be achieved without adequate investment in young people.

Joseph pointed out that the Ministry of Youth Affairs should be the highest-funded ministry in the country, given the demographic strength of young Nigerians and their influence on virtually every sector of society.

According to him, “The Ministry of Youth across the country should be the ministry with the highest budget because the youth occupies over 75 per cent of the total population of the country, which means we are the highest in demography.”

He added: “There is nothing you are doing now that does not affect the youth. Prioritising their welfare should be at the forefront of every government.”

Joseph also said that the growing political consciousness among Nigerian youths is encouraging, particularly as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.

He noted that youth participation and political awareness are more encouraging now than during the 2023 general elections, with more young people showing interest in political processes, leadership and the build-up to the next elections.

“The consciousness of youth participation in leadership is more encouraging now compared to the 2023 general election. With the build-up to the 2027 general election, we are seeing more participation of youths , and that is encouraging. The political consciousness among youths is growing,” he said.

“Our slogan in the Youth Council is ‘Build the Youth and Build the Nation.’ Our call to government at all levels is to prioritise the welfare of youths and introduce policies that will develop young people,” he said.

Speaking further, the youth leader also expressed concern over the growing challenge of illicit drug use and substance abuse among young people. He called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to intensify its efforts against drug trafficking and abuse.

He said the Youth Council was contributing to the fight through sensitisation and advocacy programmes but noted that government agencies saddled with the responsibility of tackling drug-related offences must do more.

“At our level, we are doing sensitisation and advocacy. That is what we can do to create awareness and fight against illicit drugs and substance abuse,” he said.

Joseph urged the NDLEA to intensify operations against drug dealers and users, particularly in areas known to be hideouts for illicit drug activities.

He also commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a strong approach to tackling cultism and insecurity in the state.

He said the governor’s actions against cult-related activities had helped to discourage criminal elements and reduce the activities of cult groups.

“We thank His Excellency for wielding a strong arm in the fight against cultism. You can see that the activities of cultists have drastically reduced because people are afraid of losing their properties,” Joseph said.

He called on other state governments to adopt similar measures in tackling cultism and other forms of youth-related criminality across the country.

“I think other state governments should try and emulate his style and put to rest cultism in the country,” he added.

Speaking on women’s participation in leadership, Joseph disclosed that more than 70 young women were recently elected as coordinators across the 18 local government areas of Edo State, describing the development as a positive indication of increasing female participation in leadership.

He stressed the importance of creating an environment where young women can confidently participate in politics and governance without fear or intimidation.

On her part , the State Treasurer of the Edo State Youth Council, Oghomwen Omoruyi, urged more women to take advantage of available opportunities to seek leadership positions.

Omoruyi said women had over the years appeared reluctant to compete for leadership positions, partly because of concerns about how women are treated in political and leadership spaces.

“It is really a good thing if we have more women participating in leadership positions. Over the years, you see women appear to be too scared or shy to struggle for positions of leadership. You won’t blame them; it is because of the wrong notion they have about the way they are treated,” she said.

She, however, encouraged women to overcome their fears and actively seek leadership opportunities.

“I want to encourage women to participate in leadership positions and not allow themselves to be scared. You just have to make sure you know what you are doing and why you are there,” Omoruyi said.

Speaking further, she disclosed that the Edo State Youth Council had continued to promote inclusiveness, adding that her position as State Treasurer had demonstrated that young women could occupy leadership positions and receive the support of their male counterparts.

“In the Youth Council, women are being carried along. I happen to be the State Treasurer and I have the full support of the men too. My occupying the position is already inspiring other young ladies to vie for positions,” she said.

Omoruyi further revealed that more young women contested in the most recent local government elections in the state, describing the development as a positive step towards achieving greater representation of women in governance.

“In our last local government elections, we had more young girls who contested, and for me, that is the way to go if the voice of women must resonate,” she said.

She urged women not to shy away from leadership opportunities whenever the opportunity arise, stressing that their active participation is essential to shaping a better future for the country.