The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has called on Nigerian youths to rise to the challenge of safeguarding and strengthening the nation’s democracy, describing them as a critical force for sustaining the country’s present and future stability.
Speaking amid ongoing national reforms, Professor Yilwatda urged young Nigerians, particularly those within the active age bracket of 25 to 55, to take ownership of the democratic process and resist attempts by self-serving political actors to derail the nation’s progress.
He stressed that this call has become necessary in light of recent political movements aimed at advancing narrow personal ambitions while misinforming citizens about the intentions and outcomes of the current administration’s reform agenda.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said, “Nigeria’s democracy is at a defining moment. The responsibility to defend and consolidate it rests heavily on our youths, who possess the energy, innovation, and patriotic zeal required to move the nation forward. We must not allow individuals who offer no credible alternatives to mislead the people or truncate the gains already being recorded.”
He noted that the APC has evolved into a youth-driven political movement, with over 50 percent of its membership comprising young men and women, reflecting the party’s commitment to inclusion, generational renewal, and leadership development.
Yilwatda described his emergence as National Chairman as a historic milestone for the party, underscoring its progressive orientation and recognition of the importance of youth leadership in modern governance. According to him, placing a youthful figure at the helm signals confidence in the capacity, vision, and dynamism of Nigeria’s younger generation.
He added that empowering young people as central actors in policymaking, reform implementation, and democratic consolidation is key to achieving sustainable national development.
The APC Chairman warned against entrusting the nation’s future to individuals driven by personal ambition, noting that such actions could reverse hard-earned gains and return the country to instability.
While acknowledging that ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu have involved difficult adjustments, Yilwatda maintained that they are necessary foundations for long-term prosperity. He pointed to early indicators suggesting that the reforms are repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth, fiscal stability, and global competitiveness.
Highlighting the strengths of Nigeria’s youthful population, he said young people bring adaptability, technological awareness, and a forward-looking mindset, qualities essential for deepening democratic values and enhancing civic participation.
He further noted that the administration’s reforms have attracted commendation from international institutions, including the World Bank, boosting investor confidence and positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for investment in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing.
“Investor confidence is gradually being restored. From renewed commitments in the oil and gas sector to growing interest in Nigeria’s digital economy and infrastructure space, the signs are clear that the country is on a path to recovery and growth,” he stated.
