National Youth Council of Nigeria Presidential Battle Heats Up as Lauya Enters Race
- Umar Hardawa Lauya has decided to throw his hat into the ring to contest in the forthcoming National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) presidential election
- Lauya, a prominent Bauchi politician, promised progress and unity for all Nigerian youths should be elected president
- The NYCN serves as a platform for Nigerian youths to voice their concerns, participate in national development, and advocate for their welfare
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - The leadership race for the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) gained new momentum on Wednesday, August 13, as Umar Hardawa Lauya officially declared his candidacy for national president.
According to a statement made exclusively available to Legit.ng, Lauya pledged to unite the country’s 'fractured youth movement' and deliver tangible, life-changing opportunities for millions of young Nigerians.
Source: Original
National Youth Council of Nigeria election 2025
At the declaration in Abuja, the event drew representatives from youth organisations, student unions, creative industry groups, and civil society coalitions from across the country.
Speaking with conviction, Lauya painted a stark picture of the challenges confronting Nigerian youth, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that reportedly reveal deep crises in unemployment, underemployment, and education.
He said:
“While youth unemployment fell to 6.5% in 2024, more than 53 percent of our youth remain underemployed, trapped in work that cannot sustain them.
“Over 18 million Nigerian children and youth are out of school — one in every three. These are not just numbers; they are dreams delayed, and futures put on hold. We cannot afford to waste another generation.”
Source: Facebook
Lauya vows to end NYCN crises
Lauya pledged for an end to the factional battles that have plagued the NYCN for years, promising to reconcile all warring sides through transparent dialogue, adherence to the council’s constitution, and governance reforms.
“We will not let our Council be a battleground for egos,” he declared. “It will be a launchpad for progress, a united voice for all Nigerian youth.”
He outlined a six-point agenda thus:
- Launching real empowerment projects in entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and digital innovation.
- Reviving sports as a unifying force through academies and youth leagues.
- Transforming creative industries into major job creators.
- Strengthening student leadership structures to groom future leaders.
- Expanding education financing, including loan schemes and Presidential Youth Awards.
- Breaking ethnic, religious, and regional barriers to ensure “One Nigeria, One Youth Voice.”
Legit.ng reports that Lauya previously served as NYCN chairman in Bauchi state.
By the end of the declaration, the statement from Lauya's team disclosed that youths from different states had 'signed a symbolic endorsement banner' reading “We Are Ready”. Supporters reportedly chanted Lauya’s name alongside slogans like “Empowerment That Works!” and “Together We Build”.
Read more on National Youth Council of Nigeria:
- National Youth Council of Nigeria holds lecture in honour of Godswill Akpabio
- Fuel supply: NYCN constitutes task force, expresses optimism on steady supply
Youth council presents demands to Tinubu
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the NYCN presented President Bola Tinubu with eight key demands to address the economic difficulties affecting Nigerians.
The group, while lauding President Tinubu's efforts to improve the national economy, pointed out that those reforms have also led to increased living costs and hardships.
Source: Legit.ng
