The Lagos State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has endorsed President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The state chairman of the council, Ibrahim Adigun, disclosed this in a statement following the Voluntary Youth Organisations (VYO) 1.0 programme held in Lagos on Saturday.
The event, which commemorated the 2026 National Youth Day, was themed “Converging Lagos Youth Voices: Voluntary Youth Organisations as Pillars of Structure, Accountability and Sustainable Youth Development.”
It also featured the formal unveiling of the NYCN Lagos State bye-law, designed to provide an institutional framework for coordinating the activities of youth organisations across the state.
Adigun said the endorsement was informed by what the council described as the performance of APC-led administrations at the federal and state levels, particularly in policies and programmes aimed at youth development and inclusion.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the National Youth Conference and the inclusion of young people in governance as examples of initiatives the council considered significant.
He described Hamzat as an experienced administrator with the capacity to sustain Lagos State’s development, adding that the council believed continuity under the APC would provide opportunities for further youth empowerment and economic advancement.
The chairman urged young people across Lagos to participate actively in the political process and mobilise support for the endorsed candidates.
The programme attracted representatives of voluntary youth organisations, including Man O’ War, Girl Guides, Lagos State Scout Council and Boys’ Brigade.
Beyond the political endorsement, Adigun called for stronger institutional and financial support for voluntary youth organisations, which he described as important platforms for leadership development, mentorship and community engagement.
He proposed the establishment of a Lagos State Voluntary Youth Organisations Development and Support Fund, alongside a registry and accreditation framework to improve coordination and accountability.
Other proposals included a youth community prevention partnership, capacity-building programmes, access to government youth centres and public facilities, and employment partnerships for young people.
He also advocated the institutionalisation of the Lagos State Voluntary Youth Organisations Assembly to strengthen collaboration among youth groups.
Adigun said young people should not be mobilised only during election periods but should also have meaningful roles in governance, policy development, economic opportunities and decision-making.
The bye-law is expected to guide the council’s operations, strengthen accountability and provide a framework for coordinating affiliated youth organisations in Lagos State.
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