A frontline youth mobiliser and current Senior Special Assistant to the Kogi State Governor on Youth and Students Affairs, Comrade Babangida Isah, has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), vowing to reposition the Council as a more dynamic and responsive vehicle for youth development across the country.
The declaration, which took place in Lokoja, Kogi State, drew youth leaders, stakeholders, and supporters from various parts of the federation. Addressing the gathering, Comrade Isah described his ambition as a “patriotic call to service” borne out of a strong desire to restore credibility to the NYCN and rekindle the hope of Nigerian youths in institutional leadership.
“I am not seeking recognition or personal glory. I am responding to a deep and pressing call to serve Nigerian youths with vision, with courage, and with unwavering integrity,” he said.
His leadership credentials date back to his student days, having served as Departmental President and subsequently President of the National Association of Kogi State Students (NAKOSS), Federal University of Technology, Minna. He also held positions as National Senate President and later, National President of the National Association of Ebira Students (NAES). Comrade Isah is no stranger to youth activism and grassroots mobilisation.
Within the NYCN structure, Isah served as the Coordinator for Okene LGA, later rising to become Chairman of the Forum of Coordinators in Kogi Central. In 2021, he chaired the NYCN State Congress Electoral Committee, where he earned praise for conducting a fair and transparent exercise.
His consistent record of service earned him appointment as SSA on Youth and Students Affairs by the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, a position he continues to hold under the current administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
In unveiling his six-point agenda, Comrade Isah promised to prioritise youth employment, economic empowerment, digital inclusion, education reform, mental health support, civic engagement, and institutional transformation of the NYCN.
He announced plans to establish a National Youth Enterprise and Innovation Fund, aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs through grants, mentorship, and technical capacity-building. He also proposed a partnership framework with the private sector to develop apprenticeship programmes that would bridge the gap between academic knowledge and market demands.
In the area of digital literacy and education, Isah pledged to set up tech hubs across the six geopolitical zones, working in tandem with technology firms and other stakeholders. He called for an urgent overhaul of the national curriculum to integrate skills such as coding, robotics, and critical thinking.
On the welfare front, he promised to launch a Youth Mental Health Support Programme, focused on counselling, public enlightenment, and access to social support structures for vulnerable youth populations. He also proposed the establishment of youth-friendly centres across the country.
To foster political inclusion, he announced plans for a Youth Political Literacy Campaign aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and tools needed for effective civic participation. He further vowed to advocate for constitutional reforms to secure a national youth quota in political appointments and elective positions.
Security and national unity were also central to his agenda. Isah disclosed plans to establish a National Peace Corps under the NYCN, with the aim of promoting inter-ethnic dialogue, conflict resolution, and youth-led community surveillance initiatives.
On the institutional front, he proposed a full digitisation and decentralisation of NYCN’s operations, along with a constitutional review to enhance transparency, efficiency, and grassroots involvement.
“The NYCN must evolve from being a symbolic institution to a functional force. We must become more accessible, more accountable, and more relevant to every young Nigerian, no matter where they live. I will lead with humility, with purpose, and with integrity. Together, we will build a Council that not only speaks for the youth but speaks with the youth and most importantly, delivers for the youth,” He noted.
Comrade Isah’s declaration has been met with widespread applause from various youth blocs and major stakeholders, with many describing him as a unifying force capable of bridging the gap between institutional knowledge and innovative reform.
With the NYCN elections drawing closer, observers say his entry into the race could significantly reshape the contest and focus national attention on youth-led governance and reform advocacy.
