By Roy Ofori, African Heritage Global Affairs Editor, Diaspora, 22nd November 2025
ADC-DN Strategic Youth Summit Convenes Nigerian Youth Leaders to Chart National Growth Path. In a powerful demonstration of youth leadership advocacy, the African Democratic Congress – Diaspora Network (ADC-DN) successfully hosted its Strategic Youth Summit, convening young leaders, influencers, and experts from across Nigeria and the diaspora. The summit, themed “Nigerian Youth as the Engine of National Growth,” was opened by Hon. Kenneth Chibuogwu Gbandi, leader of ADC-DN’s 7th Zone, who set the tone for a dialogue centered on youth empowerment, national development, and strategic engagement.
Hosted by MacGodwin Iweajunwa, ADC-DN Media and Communication Director, and Hon. Bose Rahila Adamu, ADC-DN Woman Leader, the event featured a robust panel of speakers including Hon. Barr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, former Minister of State for Education; Aisha Yesufu, renowned political activist; Abubakar Malami SAN, former Minister for Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF); Balarabe Rufai, ADC National Youth Leader; Dr. Josephine Oghenekevbe Ogufere, Educational Consultant, Author; Hadiza Musa Shehu, Girl-Child activist; and Chief Amb. Toni Tuklan, ADC-DN Secretary, among others.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Gbandi emphasized the critical role of Nigerian youth in national development. “This event could not have come at a more critical time. Our theme, Nigerian Youth as the Engine of National Growth, speaks directly to the urgency of our national reality,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s demographic advantage, Gbandi noted that with over 60% of the population under 35, the nation’s greatest asset is its human capital. “Our youth are among the most talented in the world, particularly in ICT, innovation, and start-ups. Yet, successive governments have marginalized them, resulting in high unemployment and a growing national security challenge,” he observed.
Gbandi lauded the ADC’s concrete approach to youth inclusion, referencing the party’s 35% policy allocation to youth across all structures, designed to foster economic empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development. “Our commitment is not symbolic. We are creating enabling environments for youth-led SMEs, the creative economy, tech start-ups, and agribusiness,” he added.
The summit also emphasized gender balance and the inclusion of youth leadership, echoing open-source perspectives from speakers like Aisha Yesufu, who has consistently advocated for women and youth representation in governance, and Abubakar Malami SAN, who has spoken publicly on legal frameworks to support youth enterprise and national security. Echoing these principles, Gbandi asserted: “Youth cannot be the leaders of tomorrow if they are excluded today.”
Other speakers provided complementary insights drawn from their experiences and prior public advocacy. Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba underscored the importance of educational reform and entrepreneurial readiness, which are lacking in the present leadership. Balarabe Rufai has long taken a stand on the need for digital literacy as a tool for economic inclusion, while Dr. Josephine Oghenekevbe Ogufere highlighted community-based strategies for youth engagement.
The summit concluded with a call for collective action, stressing that government, the private sector, civil society, traditional institutions, and the diaspora must collaborate. Gbandi emphasized: “Investing in our youth is not charity; it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, our national survival, and our collective progress.”
The ADC-DN Strategic Youth Summit reaffirmed the party’s role as a catalyst for youth empowerment, fostering dialogue, actionable strategies, and partnerships to leverage Nigeria’s demographic dividend for sustainable socio-economic development.
African Heritage Magazine will continue to provide exclusive coverage of this transformative initiative bridging Europe and Africa through innovation, empathy, and leadership.
