By: Adamu Muhd. Usman
Jigawa State is one of the states in northern Nigeria blessed with enterprising and vibrant young people who are actively engaged in the public sector, business, agriculture, education and politics.
A few days ago, on August 12, the world celebrated International Youth Day, a day set aside every year to recognise and celebrate the contributions, aspirations and potential of young people around the world. Jigawa youths should not be left out of this celebration. They have every reason to celebrate, express gratitude to Almighty God and appreciate the efforts of their state governor, Malam Umar Namadi, FCA, a.k.a. Dan Modi.
In my view, few states have as much reason to celebrate International Youth Day as Jigawa State, considering the various programmes and initiatives of the Namadi administration aimed at recognising, supporting, encouraging, empowering, promoting and improving the welfare of young people.
The administration has demonstrated a commitment to addressing some of the challenges confronting young people, including unemployment, lack of opportunities, poverty and limited access to education and skills development. This is particularly important at a time when many youths across the country are facing serious difficulties and, in some cases, losing hope of building better lives for themselves.
According to population projections and available demographic data, Jigawa has a population of several million people, with young people constituting a significant proportion of the population. A substantial number of these youths are engaged through employment, empowerment programmes, education and other government interventions under the Namadi administration.
Every young person has the right to a decent life, quality education, accessible healthcare, freedom of expression and opportunities for employment, among other fundamental rights. Unfortunately, many young people across the country continue to struggle with unemployment, poverty, inadequate healthcare and limited opportunities for self-development.
In Jigawa State, however, the situation appears different in several respects. Many young people are being engaged directly or indirectly through employment, empowerment and educational opportunities. Nevertheless, there is still a significant number of unemployed youths, and it is important for the government to continue exploring broader and more sustainable ways of supporting this remaining segment.
Empowerment is one important avenue for reducing unemployment and creating economic opportunities. In this regard, the government is making efforts to tackle unemployment and improve the livelihoods of young people. We can only wait, watch and pray that better opportunities and alternatives will continue to emerge, by the special grace of God.
If one argues that a substantial percentage of Jigawa youths are engaged through employment, empowerment or education, it would be difficult to dismiss such a claim, given the number of young people who have secured permanent and pensionable employment at both the state and federal levels.
Programmes such as J-Teach, which focuses on education and teaching personnel; J-Health, which supports the health sector; and J-Agro, which focuses on agriculture, have provided opportunities for many young people. In addition, youths have been recruited into security-related roles by the state government to help protect communities and public facilities, including schools, hospitals and courts, across the state’s 27 local government areas.
The youth and women empowerment policy of the Namadi administration is also yielding results in various sectors of the state.
The state government has continued to support and facilitate opportunities for Jigawa youths seeking recruitment into the military, paramilitary organisations and other law-enforcement agencies.
In the same vein, the Jigawa North-East Senator, Amb. Ahmed Abdul-Hamid, a.k.a. Chichiyali, has been supporting his constituents in accessing recruitment opportunities, including in the Nigeria Police Force. In recent months, he has reportedly facilitated opportunities for hundreds of youths. Similarly, Hon. Makki Abubakar Yelleman has also been supporting youth employment initiatives, particularly in police recruitment exercises. These efforts complement the broader employment and empowerment agenda of the Namadi administration.
Another remarkable initiative is the provision of free education for female indigenes of Jigawa State, from primary school to PhD level, through state institutions. This represents an important investment in human capital development and youth empowerment.
The payment of scholarships for Jigawa indigenes studying in tertiary institutions within the state, across Nigeria and abroad is another initiative worthy of commendation. Such interventions provide students with the opportunity to pursue their education without being overwhelmed by financial difficulties.
The school-feeding programme in secondary schools is another important intervention. Providing nutritious meals to students contributes to their wellbeing, attendance and ability to concentrate on their studies.
Girls attending boarding schools in Jigawa are also provided with transportation to and from school at the beginning and end of each term, alongside essential items such as school uniforms, mattresses and blankets. Teaching and learning materials are also provided to support effective education.
The government’s organisation of competitions in education, sports and agriculture, including fishing festivals, is another avenue for encouraging youth participation, talent development, healthy competition and community engagement.
The provision of free JAMB and NECO registration for eligible students in secondary schools across the state is also a significant intervention. It helps reduce the financial burden on families and gives young people greater opportunities to pursue higher education.
All these initiatives demonstrate that youths in Jigawa State are receiving considerable attention. Their welfare, education and future prospects remain important components of the administration’s development agenda.
When young people are neither employed, empowered nor in school, they risk becoming economically and socially vulnerable. Prolonged unemployment can contribute to poverty, hunger, crime, drug abuse and other social problems.
Available national statistics have consistently shown that poverty remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with a significant proportion of the population living below the poverty line. This reality makes investment in young people even more important, because the future productivity and prosperity of the country depend heavily on them.
One of the most frustrating aspects of poverty and unemployment in Nigeria is the underutilisation of the country’s abundant human and natural resources. If these resources are properly harnessed, Nigeria has the potential to become self-sufficient and economically prosperous, not only for itself but for Africa as a whole.
We therefore hope and pray that, under the administration of Governor Umar Namadi, farmers in Jigawa State will continue to receive maximum support for crop production, including access to mechanised farming. There should also be greater support for fishing and livestock production, as these sectors can create employment and help reduce conflicts between farmers and herders.
At the federal level, the APC-led government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should also intensify efforts to revive moribund industries, particularly textile and manufacturing industries in Kano, Kaduna and other industrial centres that once provided employment for millions of Nigerians. Reviving these industries would create significant opportunities for young people ahead of the 2027 elections and beyond.
The revival of the production and export of agricultural commodities such as groundnuts, cotton and cocoa, which historically contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economy, should also be revisited. In Jigawa State, agricultural production in areas such as rice, wheat, hibiscus, sesame, onions, beans and other crops should be further supported and expanded through government incentives, access to inputs, mechanisation, markets and financing.
The present situation, in which many young people remain unemployed, can create an environment that allows criminal elements to recruit them into destructive activities. This is one reason why addressing youth unemployment must remain a priority across the country, both in the North and the South.
Many of the security challenges confronting Nigeria involve young people, including those who have been recruited by criminal networks because of unemployment, poverty, frustration or lack of opportunities.
We therefore hope to see fewer youths on the streets without opportunities and more young people in schools, businesses, farms, vocational centres and decent employment.
The Jigawa youth must aspire to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
We must say NO to drug abuse, fraud, corruption and other social vices. We must reject militancy, laziness, political thuggery and irresponsible or harmful use of social media.
We must be law-abiding, committed and determined to become great leaders of tomorrow.
If young people continue to die from frustration, deprivation and neglect, who will take over the mantle of leadership of Jigawa State and Nigeria?
At this point, young people should be reminded that youth is one of the most critical stages of a person’s life. These are the years when a person is energetic, ambitious and full of vigour.
Youth is also a period that can determine the direction of the remaining years of one’s life. When young people use this period wisely—by pursuing education, acquiring skills, working hard, developing themselves and contributing positively to society—they can build meaningful lives for themselves, their families, communities and humanity at large.
Jigawa of my dreams.
May Almighty God continue to help us, guide us aright and give our leaders the wisdom and strength to build a better future for our youths.
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.
About the Author
