Young People Are Not the Future Alone – We Are Stakeholders in the Present

Young people are often described as “the leaders of tomorrow.” It is a phrase repeated in political speeches, development conversations and public campaigns across Africa. While the statement may sound encouraging, it also reveals a troubling pattern: young people are constantly positioned in the future, while decisions affecting their lives are being made in the present without them. The reality is that young people are not waiting to become stakeholders someday. We already are. Across Nigeria and the wider African continent, young people are actively shaping communities, leading advocacy movements, driving innovation, volunteering in underserved spaces and contributing to economic and social development. From civic engagement to entrepreneurship, climate action to digital innovation, youth participation is already influencing the direction of society. Yet despite this visible contribution, many young people continue to face exclusion from meaningful decision-making spaces. Too often, youth engagement is treated as symbolic rather than substantive. Young people are invited into conversations after policies have already been designed. They are consulted without being genuinely included. In some cases, they are showcased for representation while remaining disconnected from actual influence. This creates frustration and reinforces the perception that youth participation is valued more in theory than in practice. This disconnect matters because policies created without the meaningful involvement of young people often fail to reflect the realities they experience daily. Decisions on education, employment, governance, technology, climate change and social protection directly affect young people, yet youth voices remain underrepresented where these decisions are shaped. Nigeria provides a clear example of this contradiction. Young people make up most of Nigeria’s population and a substantial share of its voter base. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 30. In addition, data released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the 2025 Continuous Voter Registration exercise showed that Nigerians aged 18-34 accounted for 64.65 per cent of online pre-registrants and 74.64 per cent of completed registrations. They contribute to the economy, influence public discourse and drive social movements. The #EndSARS movement, despite its painful outcomes, demonstrated the organisational strength, civic consciousness and collective voice of Nigerian youth. Across the continent, youth-led initiatives continue to address issues ranging from food insecurity to electoral accountability and community development. However, recognition alone is not enough. Visibility must be matched with inclusion. Young people should not only be mobilised during elections or public campaigns and then sidelined afterwards. Meaningful engagement means involving youth in policy design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It means creating spaces where young people can contribute ideas, challenge systems constructively and participate in governance beyond performative consultation. Civil society organisations (CSOs) have an important role to play in bridging this gap. Across West Africa, many CSOs continue to create platforms for youth leadership, advocacy and civic participation. Initiatives such as Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) strengthen Africa’s future public service leadership by identifying and equipping young professionals for roles at the heart of government, building a pipeline of ethical leaders who can improve governance and strengthen democratic institutions from within. NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development empowers citizens, especially young people, to actively participate in democratic governance by strengthening civic capacity to demand accountability, engage institutions, and influence policies that promote transparency and inclusion. The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) works to strengthen civil society in West Africa by making it more collaborative, resilient and influential through knowledge sharing, capacity building and convening actors to deepen civic participation and democratic governance. Similarly, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) advances evidence-based research and advocacy to promote transparency and accountability in the energy and extractive sectors, bridging the gap between research and policy action for inclusive and sustainable development. These efforts are essential, particularly in contexts where institutional barriers often limit youth access to leadership spaces. However, youth inclusion must move beyond occasional programmes and short-term initiatives. It should become a structural priority embedded within governance systems, development planning and institutional frameworks. Young people should not have to continuously prove that they deserve a seat at the table when the decisions being made already shape their futures. There is also a need to challenge how society defines leadership and experience. Many young people are frequently told they are “too young” to lead or contribute meaningfully, despite already managing projects, leading organisations, building businesses and mobilising communities. Experience is important, but excluding young voices solely based on age ignores the value of innovation, lived realities and fresh perspectives. At the same time, youth participation must be accompanied by responsibility. Meaningful inclusion is not simply about occupying spaces; it is about contributing constructively to them. Young people must continue to build capacity, strengthen civic knowledge, engage critically with policy issues and participate beyond social media conversations. Sustainable change requires both voice and preparedness. Governments, institutions and development actors must also recognise that youth inclusion strengthens democracy and development rather than threatens it. Societies become more responsive when diverse voices are represented. Policies become more effective when they are informed by the realities of those most affected. The future of Africa cannot be built while excluding the demographic that represents much of its energy, creativity and population. Young people are not merely beneficiaries of development; we are contributors to it. We are not passive observers waiting for our turn tomorrow while decisions are made today. We are already here. The conversation, therefore, should move from “preparing young people for the future” to recognising young people as active stakeholders in the present. Inclusion should not depend on crisis moments, protests, or public pressure before youth voices are taken seriously. It should be intentional, consistent and embedded within governance and development processes. Young people do not need symbolic recognition alone. We need meaningful participation, institutional trust and opportunities to influence the systems we are constantly told we will one day inherit. The truth is simple: the future is already being shaped now, and young people are part of that process.