The Lagos State Government, Ministry of Youth and Social Development in collaboration with the Youth Development Cluster and Inspired Youth Network organized a stakeholders meeting on the review of the Lagos State Youth policy which took place yesterday at the Ikorodu Youth Center. The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including young people, civil society organizations, Government officials, and development partners to discuss the current state of youth development in Lagos State and to identify key areas for improvement. The review process aims to ensure that the policy reflects the needs and aspirations of young people also the policy seeks to create an enabling environment that supports young people’s aspirations and empowers them to reach their full potential.

Pharm. Toyin Oke Osayintolu, Permanent Secretary who is represented by Mr. Saka Abdullateef, Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, welcomed attendees to the stakeholders’ review meeting of the Lagos State Youth Policy. She reminded the attendees that the state adopted the National Youth Policy of 2009 to establish a sustainable youth agenda that would produce meaningful youth engagement as well as enhance their quality of life. In 2016, the Lagos State Youth Policy was launched with 15 thematic areas and a well-considered framework.

Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osayintolu emphasized the importance of the review meeting and expressed her optimism that the outcome of the meeting would provide a better framework for the state’s youth policy. The policy provides a roadmap to address youths’ challenges and a crucial framework to guide the state’s approach in ensuring that a large number of youths residing in the state are provided with a high quality of life. As the 5-year period of the policy’s expiration approaches and with the evolving socio-economic issues peculiar to the state, it has become necessary to review the national youth policy.

Pharm. Toyin Oke-Osayintolu’s address highlighted the importance of the youth policy and the need for a review to ensure that the state’s approach to ensuring that youths are provided with a high quality of life is effective and sustainable.

Chamberlain Etukueoh is the Programs Lead at Youth Alive Foundation, Etukueoh said the review of the Lagos State Youth Policy, which aims to ensure that the interest and needs of all stakeholders are met.

Etukueoh recognizes that young people are the future of Lagos State, he also said that the policy review process is an opportunity for young people to have a say in the policies that affect their lives.

Etukueoh recognizes the value that Lagos has added to youth development, and the Foundation is committed to ensuring that the policy review process leads to a policy that provides young people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive in Lagos State.

Dr. Somefun represents the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an organization that has been partnering with the Lagos Ministry of Youth in the past years. Dr. Somefun expressed delight that the Ministry of Youth is continuing this initiative. According to Dr. Somefun, this policy will bring transformative innovation and build the capacity of the youth, and by ensuring that we don’t leave people behind, she believes the various stakeholders present at the meeting will contribute their quota.

Comr. Lekan Oba, Chairman of the NYCN Lagos, expressed his excitement about the program that aims to review the youth policy. He emphasized the importance of having young people with prospects and their involvement in governance. He encouraged stakeholders to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute to youth development in Lagos State, he commended Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for prioritizing youth development in his action plan

According to Amb Zainab Aderonmu the Lagos State Youth Ambassador, represented by Amb Atitebi Ismail, everyone’s contribution to the Youth policy will determine the future of youth in the state.

Mrs. Umar Rashidat gave an overview of the Lagos State Youth Policy, which was last reviewed in 2019 and signed by former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. The policy aims to address the needs and interests of all stakeholders, with a particular focus on young people. The review process involves gathering feedback and input from young people to ensure that their needs and aspirations are reflected in the policy.

The review the existing youth policy of Lagos State and make recommendations for its improvement. One of the key areas of discussion was the migration from thematic areas to strategic pillars. The strategic pillars were identified as:

1. Productive Workforce and Sustainable Economic Engagement of Youth
2. Health and Health-Promoting Lifestyle
3. Participation, inclusiveness and equitable opportunities for all Youth
4. Promotive and Protective Environment for Youth Development
5. Partnership-building and effective collaboration

In the breakout sessions, the participants discussed the strategic pillars and how they relate to the definition of youth, which was also discussed. The definition of youth was not specified. The participants provided valuable input on the challenges faced by young people in Lagos State and identified areas for improvement in the existing youth policy.