NYFF advocates stronger youth institutions for sustainable civic impact in Northwest

The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) has called for strengthened institutional development, accountability, and collaboration among youth-led organisations across Northwest Nigeria to ensure sustainable civic impact.

The call was made during a two-day Youth Consortium Capacity Strengthening Workshop implemented under the Youth Leading Change Programme and organised by Bridge Connect Africa Initiative.

The training brought together 21 youth-led organisations and development practitioners to enhance institutional systems through structured governance frameworks, strategic planning, and collaborative engagement.

The workshop forms part of NYFF-supported efforts aimed at building a resilient youth civic ecosystem capable of promoting democratic values, strengthening accountability, and influencing governance outcomes across the Northwest.

In his remarks, NYFF Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator, Olusola Ojajuni, emphasised that building a strong network of youth advocates is essential for shaping inclusive public policy and influencing governance processes.

He noted that collective action among youth organisations transforms isolated interventions into a unified movement capable of attracting government attention and driving systemic change.

“When organisations come together as a united body, the small efforts of each group expand into a force that cannot be ignored.

“Our work in accountability, civic awareness, and empowering citizens to understand and demand their rights including tracking public budgets and expenditures is where lasting transformation begins,” he said.

Ojajuni added that while development progress may appear gradual, sustained investment in youth institutional capacity would produce measurable governance impact over time.

Earlier, Executive Director of Bridge Connect, Muhammad Sani, identified weak organisational structures and unclear accountability systems as major constraints facing many youth-led organisations.

He stressed that functional governance frameworks, clearly defined leadership roles, and effective boards are critical for credibility, donor confidence, and long-term sustainability.

Also speaking, Chief Operations Officer of Bridge Connect, Fatima Musa Aliyu, described the workshop as a strategic platform for strengthening civic institutions through shared learning and collaboration.

She urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to improve programme implementation and expand community impact.

A participant, Shafa’atu Suleiman, Executive Lead of Gender Educators Initiative, highlighted the value of the training in strengthening organisational systems, improving leadership continuity through succession planning, and enhancing policy engagement capacity across the region

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