December 15, (THEWILL) — Last Saturday, the National Youth Alliance, NYA, led the Nigerian youth across the north and south to a meeting held in Kaduna, where they signed an agreement aimed at promoting national unity and forging a common front for the political and economic development of the country.
The meeting, a surprise package of sorts organised by the NYA, may come across to critics as insignificant, but there is no record of an event of this scale involving the youth of this country. The signing of a formal agreement themed, ‘Birthing of a New Nigeria’, with the participants pledging to eschew ethnic and religious divisions and to speak with one voice in the interest of national cohesion and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 elections, clearly shows the seriousness of purpose underlying it.
Unfortunately, the country has a long history of youth mobilisation but only along ethnic, regional and religious lines. Nigerians are aware that this is often intensified during election cycles.
Members of the political class have always been accused of manipulating the youth, especially the unemployed and poor among them, for selfish ends.The youth have for too long been divided along ethnic and religious lines through deliberate misinformation and falsehood, thereby making them instruments of conflict rather than development partners.
“For decades, politicians and elites have been using us to gain power and political relevance. They divided us along religious and ethnic lines. So much fake news and misinformation were dished out so that we would continue to see ourselves as sworn enemies,” Vice-Chairman of NYA (North), Abubakar Mohammed-General said, in his welcome address at the Kaduna meeting.
For playing the part of willing tools in the hands of manipulative political actors, perhaps, the youth have at different times borne the brunt of political instability, economic hardship and social dislocation. Signing a peace accord at the Kaduna event suggests that they have agreed to unite and put a final stop to the trend.
In recent years, calls for national cohesion among the youth have grown louder and groups across the country have increasingly sought platforms to promote dialogue, unity and collective political engagement, arguing that young Nigerians must move beyond regional loyalties to play a constructive role in shaping national policy and leadership.
We believe that the peace accord signed in Kaduna comes against the backdrop of preparations for the 2027 general elections, with concerns that divisive rhetoric and identity politics could once again be weaponised.
The peace accord reflects a broader effort by youth leaders to prevent a repeat of past tensions by fostering cooperation, mutual understanding and a unified voice.
