Government officials, youth stakeholders, civil society organisations, and development partners have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing youth governance reforms through the passage and implementation of the Kano State Youth and Sports Development Bill 2024.
This was following a State Youth Policy Dialogue convened under the Youth Leading Change Programme (YLCP) on 30th April 2026 in Kano State.
The engagement, implemented by Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI) with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), formed part of a broader youth policy engagement process that included a strategic advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on 9th April 2026.
The dialogue brought together 34 participants drawn from government institutions, youth-led organisations, civil society groups, development partners, and policy stakeholders to review the status of the Kano State Youth and Sports Development Bill 2024, identify challenges affecting its progression, and develop practical recommendations for strengthening youth governance systems and institutional accountability within the state.
Discussions during the engagement highlighted a growing consensus among stakeholders that the Kano Youth Edict of 1976 no longer adequately reflects contemporary realities, democratic governance systems, and the aspirations of young people.
Participants therefore identified the proposed Kano State Youth and Sports Development Bill 2024 as a critical opportunity to establish a more inclusive, accountable, and implementation-focused framework for youth development and sports administration within the state.
Findings from both the advocacy and dialogue sessions revealed that while significant progress has been made in the drafting, review, and stakeholder consultation processes surrounding the bill, movement toward passage and assent has been affected by institutional and administrative challenges, including coordination gaps and delays within approval processes.
Representing the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Yusuf Haliru, the Director of Youth Development reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the proposed legislation and ensuring its successful advancement.
“The State Youth and Sports Development Bill is currently under review under the leadership of His Excellency to make it more practical, inclusive, and result-driven. The recommendations generated from this engagement will be tabled before the State Executive Council to support the passage of the bill, and we remain committed to supporting this process,” he stated.
Participants further emphasized the importance of transitioning from policy development to policy implementation, noting that sustainable youth development requires strong institutions, effective accountability systems, adequate funding mechanisms, and meaningful youth participation in governance processes.
Speaking during the dialogue, Abbas Adamu, Youth Engagement and Leadership Development Lead, YLCP, stressed the importance of ensuring that policy reforms translate into tangible outcomes for young people. “This process is not just about developing another policy document.
The goal is to ensure that the framework provides a clear pathway for implementation and creates meaningful opportunities for young people to participate in governance and development processes,” he said.
The engagement also highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration among government institutions, civil society organisations, youth groups, development partners, and legislative actors to maintain momentum around the bill and support its eventual implementation.
Speaking on the broader significance of the engagement, Sadiq Musa Sadauki, Project Lead, YLCP, emphasized the need for collective action in shaping the future of youth development in Kano State. “The future of youth development in Kano State will be shaped by coordinated action, institutional commitment, and sustained collaboration.
As we move forward, our focus must remain on building a youth governance framework that is inclusive, accountable, and responsive to the realities and aspirations of young people across the state,” he said.
Stakeholders also emphasised the need for stronger political commitment, improved institutional coordination, enhanced tracking mechanisms, and broader public awareness to support the successful passage and implementation of the bill.
Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that the proposed framework responds to emerging priorities such as youth participation, leadership development, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusion of women and marginalized groups.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment among government institutions, civil society organisations, youth stakeholders, and development partners to sustain advocacy efforts, strengthen institutional engagement, and support the passage and implementation of the Kano State Youth and Sports Development Bill 2024 as a critical step toward advancing youth inclusion, participation, and sustainable development across Kano State.
