The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for greater inclusion of young people in the development plans and programmes of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), stressing that youth participation is essential to achieving sustainable development across the region.
The students’ body said young people constitute a significant proportion of the population and should therefore have a meaningful role in shaping policies and programmes that affect their education, employment, skills development and economic opportunities.
NANS made the call against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to accelerate development across the North Central region, comprising Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the association, youth-focused programmes should go beyond short-term interventions and provide sustainable opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, technology, vocational training and employment.
It also urged the commission to establish mechanisms through which students and other young people can contribute ideas and participate in policy discussions, project planning and monitoring.
The association maintained that involving youths in the development process would help ensure that government interventions reflect the actual needs and aspirations of young people in the region.
NANS further called for increased investment in educational infrastructure, scholarships, digital skills, innovation hubs and entrepreneurship programmes, particularly for students and young graduates facing limited employment opportunities.
It noted that the North Central region has considerable human and economic potential, but unlocking that potential requires deliberate investment in its young population.
The students’ body also appealed to stakeholders in the region—including state governments, educational institutions, traditional leaders, private-sector organisations and development partners—to support initiatives that empower young people to become active contributors to regional development.
NANS stressed that youth inclusion should be treated as a central component of the North Central Development Commission’s long-term development strategy rather than as an occasional programme.
The association expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the commission and youth organisations could produce programmes that address unemployment, educational challenges, skills gaps and other issues confronting young people.
It urged the commission to maintain an open channel of communication with student and youth representatives so that emerging challenges can be identified and addressed through evidence-based policies.
NANS concluded that giving young people a voice in the region’s development planning would not only benefit students but also contribute to building a more inclusive, productive and economically resilient North Central region.
