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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has urged Nigerian youths to take a leading role in shaping the country’s democratic future by participating actively in the 2027 general elections, saying the strength of Nigeria’s democracy will depend largely on the decisions, conduct and civic engagement of young people.

The appeal was made on Thursday during the Youth Town Hall, one of the flagship events of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

The gathering brought together lawmakers, senior government officials, development partners, youth leaders, civil society organisations and students to discuss ways of expanding youth participation in governance, strengthening democratic accountability and promoting nation-building.

Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, the House Majority Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, said the 10th House had deliberately placed youth development, inclusion and leadership at the centre of its legislative agenda.

He noted that the Youth Town Hall had grown beyond a forum for dialogue into a recognised platform through which young Nigerians contribute directly to policymaking and legislative reforms.

According to him, several proposals now being considered as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process and other national reforms were inspired by recommendations made at previous editions of the Youth Town Hall.

“Many of the ideas now reflected in the ongoing constitutional amendment proposals and other national policies were shaped by contributions made during previous editions of this Town Hall. Your voices have influenced outcomes, and that is precisely why this platform remains relevant,” Ihonvbere stated.

The Majority Leader highlighted a number of youth-focused legislative initiatives undertaken by the House, including the passage of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Reform Bill, the proposed Nigerian Youth Welfare Scheme Fund Bill sponsored by Speaker Abbas, and the constitutional amendment bill seeking to reduce the minimum age for governorship candidates from 35 to 30 years.

He also pointed to reforms in education financing, taxation, electricity, cybersecurity and the digital economy, describing them as strategic interventions aimed at creating more opportunities for innovation, employment and economic empowerment.

With political activities ahead of the 2027 elections already gathering pace, Ihonvbere said young Nigerians, as the country’s largest voting bloc, would play a decisive role in determining the credibility and direction of the nation’s democracy.

“The quality of our elections and the future of our democracy will, to a large extent, be determined by the choices, conduct and active involvement of young Nigerians,” he said.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the National Assembly for institutionalising the Youth Town Hall, describing it as a landmark initiative that has opened the legislature to meaningful engagement with young people.

He observed that previous administrations had inadvertently created a disconnect between youths and public institutions but said the current administration was deliberately reversing that trend through inclusive governance and sustained dialogue.

“It is very important that young Nigerians are given the space to speak, ask questions, share ideas and take part in decisions that affect their future,” the minister said.

Olawande disclosed that the Ministry of Youth Development had established several platforms to promote direct engagement between government and young citizens while implementing programmes focused on entrepreneurship, digital skills, vocational training and access to affordable finance.

He listed the Nigerian Youth Academy, digital skills initiatives, youth enterprise support programmes and the proposed Youth Green Fund among the interventions designed to prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the rapidly growing digital and green economies.

Also speaking, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, challenged young Nigerians to embrace innovation, technology and artificial intelligence as tools for national development and global competitiveness.

Halilu argued that innovation, rather than natural resource endowment, would determine the future prosperity of nations. He disclosed that NASENI’s Innovate Nigeria programme is offering grants of up to ₦250 million to support innovators, inventors and technology-driven enterprises.

He encouraged young people to continually develop their knowledge and skills while creating practical solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

Yiaga Africa also urged Nigerian youths to move beyond discussions by translating their passion into sustained civic engagement before, during and after the 2027 general elections.

Representing the organisation, a speaker encouraged eligible young Nigerians to register to vote, participate actively in elections, reject misinformation, violence and hate speech, and hold elected officials accountable based on issues, performance and integrity rather than personalities or ethnic considerations.

The organisation, which supports the Youth Town Hall under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme, also praised the National Assembly for promoting transparency, openness and greater citizen participation through the annual National Assembly Open Week.

Ihonvbere reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to ensuring that young Nigerians become active partners in governance rather than passive beneficiaries of government policies.

He said the House had intentionally pursued legislation aimed at expanding access to quality education, strengthening digital literacy, promoting entrepreneurship, encouraging innovation and modernising institutions capable of creating sustainable employment opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.

The House Leader also challenged youths to play constructive roles in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Register to vote. Reject violence. Reject vote-buying. Reject misinformation and political cynicism. Base your political choices on evidence and integrity rather than emotion,” he urged.

He stressed that democracy goes beyond voting on election day, noting that genuine democratic governance depends on continuous citizen participation in schools, communities, workplaces, civic organisations and public institutions.

He assured participants that the House of Representatives would continue to strengthen an open, transparent, accountable and inclusive parliament where the ideas, aspirations and voices of young Nigerians help shape national development and deepen democratic governance.

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Chief of Staff, to President Bola TInubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has instituted a legal action against the purported Director General of the Presidential Foreign Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi.

Gbajabiamila sued Adeyemi for alleged defamation.

In the suit filed before a Federal Capital Territory, FCT, high court, Gbajabiamila is seeking N10 billion as general damages, N5 billion for aggravated damages, N200 million as the cost of the action, and an order compelling Adeyemi to publish a full retraction and apology in five national newspapers.

More to follow…

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…Ends 30-Year Abuja Technology Village Stalemate

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that Nigeria is open for business and ready to welcome both local and foreign investors as he officially launched the Sales Office and Experience Centre for the multi-billion-dollar Abuja City Walk development, describing the project as a major milestone under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the ceremony in Abuja, Tinubu said the launch marked not just the opening of a building but the unveiling of “a window to a multi-billion-dollar future” that would redefine the Federal Capital Territory as a global hub for commerce, innovation and modern urban living.

“It is with deep pride and optimism that I welcome you all to the official launch of the sales office and experience centre for the landmark Abuja City Walk project development,” the President said.

“Today, we are not just opening a building; we are unveiling the window to a multi-billion-dollar future. We are presenting a tangible manifestation of our Renewed Hope Agenda, sculpted in concrete, innovation and unwavering determination.”

Tinubu recalled that his administration had pledged economic transformation and infrastructure renewal upon assuming office, stressing that the project demonstrates the government’s resolve to fulfil those promises.

According to him, the Abuja City Walk development, situated along the Abuja Airport Expressway corridor, is one of the most ambitious private-sector investment projects in Nigeria’s history and will become the country’s foremost gateway to the world.

While inspired by globally acclaimed developments such as Dubai City Walk, the President said the project had been adapted to Nigeria’s unique environment and aspirations.

“This experience centre stands as proof that our administration does not just make promises; we execute them with determination,” he said.

Tinubu noted that sustainable national development could only be achieved through strong collaboration between government and the private sector, describing the Abuja City Walk as a shining example of such partnership.

He disclosed that granting the corridor Free Trade Zone status would eliminate trade bottlenecks and encourage regional commerce, medical tourism, premium retail businesses and high-end hospitality investments.

The President assured investors that Nigeria remains committed to creating a secure investment climate.

“Let me reassure both domestic and international investors: Nigeria is open for business, and your investments are safe. Our legal, physical and financial frameworks are continuously being optimised to protect capital, guarantee returns and eliminate unnecessary administrative bottlenecks,” he said.

Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for reviving the long-abandoned Abuja Technology Village corridor through decisive reforms and efficient land administration.

“For 20 years, the Abuja Technology Village corridor lay dormant. Today, through aggressive land administration reforms and the eradication of bureaucratic inertia, it is being transformed into a bustling construction hub,” he stated.

He added that the administration had ended the era of land speculation and abandoned projects in Abuja, insisting that land should serve as a catalyst for development rather than speculation.

The President charged the FCT Administration and the project developers, Master International Links, to ensure that the launch of the experience centre translates into rapid physical construction.

Beyond its luxury residences, five-star hotels and commercial towers, Tinubu said the project would create tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs for engineers, artisans, professionals and young Nigerians while stimulating supply chains across the FCT and neighbouring states.

Describing Nigeria’s youthful population as one of its greatest assets, he urged investors to take advantage of the country’s demographic strength.

“This experience centre is an invitation to be a part of Nigeria’s future. It is a physical declaration that we possess the courage to conceive big dreams and the discipline to bring them to life,” he said before formally declaring the facility open.

Earlier, FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike said the project aligned with President Tinubu’s efforts to attract investment into Nigeria and revealed that it was initiated after discussions with development partners introduced through the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Emem Usoro.

Wike recalled his initial scepticism after years of receiving proposals that never materialised but said he became convinced after the developers demonstrated commitment and accepted immediate inspections of the proposed site.

He disclosed that the 250-hectare site, originally designated for the Abuja Technology Village over three decades ago, had been overtaken by land grabbers and fraudulent land claims before the FCT Administration intervened.

“I put my foot down and said this is government property and I must drive this development to come to the FCT,” Wike said.

The minister explained that he personally chaired the implementation committee to eliminate bureaucratic delays and ensure strict compliance with agreed timelines.

He said government fulfilled its obligations by issuing all statutory approvals within days, constructing access roads through CGC Nigeria Limited and coordinating relevant agencies to fast-track project execution.

“The whole essence of government is to provide an enabling environment for investors to come in and develop. There are a lot of jobs that will be created here,” Wike said.

He, however, warned the developers that failure to meet agreed milestones would result in the withdrawal of the land allocation.

“I’m not interested in theories and theories. I’m interested in keeping to our agreement in terms of what we have said. If the timelines are not met, we’ll take back our land,” he declared.

In his welcome address, Executive Director of Link Developments Master, City Walk, Dr. Kassim Gidado, described the commissioning of the Experience Centre as a major milestone in delivering the Abuja City Walk vision.

He said the facility was designed to provide investors and stakeholders with an immersive preview of the development through physical models, interactive digital displays and fully furnished prototype apartments.

According to him, the master plan envisions a “city within a city” spanning 250 hectares, featuring a Google Tech Village, Knowledge Park with two universities, healthcare facilities, city walk malls, five-star hotels, exhibition centres, residential communities, parks, police and fire stations, places of worship and what is projected to become West Africa’s largest indoor multipurpose arena.

Gidado said the project aims to create a modern, climate-responsive and walkable mixed-use district where innovation, commerce, culture and community life converge, positioning Abuja as a leading destination for global investment and sustainable urban development.