By Haruna Salami
The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Dr. Jibrin Tafida, has appealed to Nigerian youths, particularly from the North, to reject divisive sentiments and unite in confronting the nation’s security challenges.
Dr. Tafida made the call in Kaduna while delivering a keynote address titled “Youth and Women Inclusiveness in Governance , Shaping the Future of Nigeria’s Democracy” at the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.
According to him, young people and women constitute the majority of Nigeria’s population, yet their participation in governance remains severely limited. He described the gap as “not merely a statistical imbalance but a fundamental flaw in our democratic structure.”
He stressed that awareness must be created across all levels of society on the critical importance of youth and women’s involvement in leadership, noting that it is not optional but a national necessity.
Dr. Tafida also reacted to recent remarks credited to former U.S. President Donald Trump on insecurity in Nigeria, urging citizens to focus on solving domestic problems rather than embracing rhetoric that fuels disunity.
“External interventions, including those proposed by the United States, are not genuine solutions. They serve their own strategic interests. While international partnership may be helpful, the root of our challenges is within, and we bear the primary responsibility for resolving them, ” he said.
He maintained that Nigerians must refrain from mutual suspicion and resentment, adding that rather than polarising the nation, citizens should unite as victims of a shared adversity to confront those responsible for violence and instability.
Dr. Tafida pointed out contradictions in public narratives surrounding the crisis, noting that while some blame external development organisations for inadvertently supporting insurgency, others accuse certain religious groups of plotting annihilation. He said the situation requires sober reflection, not blame-trading.
“We must accept our collective failures and expose the true architects of these atrocities. By embracing our shared humanity, we stand a better chance of dismantling the systems that empower those who thrive on chaos,” he added.
He emphasised that the strength of Northern youth lies in unity despite political, ethnic, or religious differences, saying collaborative action is required to break barriers that have slowed development in the region.
Dr. Tafida further urged youth-based organisations to champion economic and political independence, noting that young entrepreneurs and innovators can drive growth only when empowered and allowed to deploy their talents toward common goals.
He lamented that many young people in the North remain trapped in a system of dependency that weakens their capacity and limits their contributions to society. He encouraged a shift from reliance on political patrons to a culture of self-reliance and empowerment.
“Transformation demands resilience and a willingness to move beyond the familiar boundaries of traditional expectations. This is the pathway to a more prosperous, peaceful, and harmonious Northern Nigeria,” he said.
Dr. Tafida concluded by stressing that increasing youth and women participation in governance is not a favour but a strategic national requirement.
He urged political parties to embrace inclusive practices, support young and female aspirants, and ensure that leaders fulfil their promises on inclusion.
“The future will not arrive on its own, it must be built. Every Nigerian, regardless of gender or age, should be able to aspire to leadership and attain it through merit and hard work,” he said.
