The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has called on Nigerian youths to move beyond rhetoric and become proactive drivers of the country’s political transformation.
He made the call during the official launch of the Take Action Campaign (TAC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The campaign, themed “Awakening a Generation: Youthful Leadership for a New Nigeria,” is a nationwide initiative championed by the Youth in Parliament Forum (YIPF) to galvanize young Nigerians toward active participation in politics and public service.
Represented by Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, Chairman of the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, Speaker Abbas stressed that the time had come for youths to take ownership of Nigeria’s present and not just its future.
“The youth are not just the future, they are the present. They must begin to reflect their numbers in the governance of this nation,” Abbas declared.
Citing that youth make up over 60% of Nigeria’s population, Abbas lamented their minimal influence in national decision-making. He urged them to enter public service deliberately, shape laws, and influence policies that directly impact their lives.
Referencing the success of the Not Too Young to Run Act, Abbas highlighted the election of a 26-year-old representative from Kebbi State as proof that legislative reforms are creating space for youth involvement.
He also expressed support for a proposed bill in the House to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly, challenging young Nigerians to engage constructively with such initiatives.
“Imagine if over 100 seats were reserved for women and more than 70 of those were occupied by women under 35. That would change the national conversation entirely,” he said.
On the increasing migration trend, popularly known as “japa,” Abbas urged youths to reconsider fleeing the country, warning that even abroad, they may remain second-class citizens.
“This is your land, your mission, your birthright… Make noise where it matters. We have no other country but this one,” he implored.
The Director General of YIPF and convener of the campaign, Hon. Tony Nwulu, said TAC aims to move young Nigerians from the political sidelines into the heart of decision-making.
He described the campaign as a national awakening, driven by a four-point strategy: mentoring young aspirants, building political structures across all 36 states and the FCT, launching youth voter engagement initiatives, and facilitating youth election into legislatures by 2027.
“TAC is more than a campaign. It is a movement. A journey that will see the rise of a new political consciousness led by young Nigerians who are ready to legislate, innovate, and govern,” Nwulu stated.
The campaign launch also drew praise from government leaders. Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, represented by Moses Okezie-Okafor, said TAC was a natural evolution from Not Too Young to Run.
He pointed to Kogi’s gender inclusion policies, including female representation across all local governments and top state offices, as proof of what is possible through intentional leadership.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, represented by Commissioner for Special Duties Dr. Chika Abazu, echoed similar sentiments, noting that over 40% of Imo’s state cabinet comprises youth.
He urged young Nigerians to perform with excellence and build a leadership pipeline that keeps the door open for others.
“We have a whole brand-new country to build. This campaign only becomes meaningful when those who enter leadership through it leave the door open behind them,” Abazu said.