Jigawa Youths Demand Real Empowerment on Youth Day

On the occasion of the 2026 International Youth Day, Jigawa youths called on all levels of government to take concrete actions towards youth empowerment, moving beyond mere slogans. They expressed dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of past programs, which they claim have not significantly impacted genuine entrepreneurs and skilled youths.

The Jigawa State Government has allocated approximately N12.7 billion for Youth Empowerment and Employment Initiatives as part of Governor Umar Namadi’s 12-Point Agenda within a N901.8 billion budget for 2026, termed “Budget of Innovation and Transformation for Greater Jigawa II.” Youths, including fashion designer Hadi Sani and farmer Usman Dankoli, lamented that empowerment tools often end up with individuals close to politicians rather than those in need. They emphasized the necessity for needs-based and community-verified empowerment schemes to effectively reduce unemployment in Jigawa and Nigeria.