Ukorebi Esien | April 14, 2026
ABUJA – The Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria Cross River State Council, Comr. Emmanuel Olayi has called for the institutionalisation of youth leadership development frameworks in the state, following his participation at the Abuja Dialogue 2026 held in Abuja.
Speaking with journalists after the high-level engagement, the Chairman said the Dialogue provided a timely platform to interrogate the future of youth leadership in Nigeria, stressing that Cross River State must align with emerging national frameworks that prioritise structured leadership grooming.
According to him, the keynote address delivered by Vice-President Kashim Shettima reinforced the urgent need to move beyond rhetoric and begin to build sustainable systems that prepare young people for governance and nation-building.
> “What stood out for me is the clear message that youth leadership cannot be accidental. It must be deliberate, structured and supported by strong institutions. This is a challenge to us in Cross River State to begin to rethink how we engage and prepare our young people,” he said.
Reflecting on lessons from the Dialogue, Olayi emphasised that youth development in Cross River must transition from ad hoc empowerment programmes to policy-driven frameworks.
He noted that while the state has a vibrant and energetic youth population, there is a pressing need to Establish leadership incubation platforms for young people, Create pathways for youth inclusion in governance and decision-making, Strengthen partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector and Ensure budgetary commitment to youth-focused programmes
“We must begin to see youth leadership as a system, not an event. It is not enough to organise programmes; we must build institutions that consistently produce leaders,” he added.
The Chairman commended the Lagos State Government’s investment in youth leadership through initiatives such as the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy while appreciated efforts of Cross River State Government through Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, especially the deliberate training and Empowerment of over 400 Youths and other trainings and program carried out by the ministry of youth development in the state in the past three years, he however, asked the state to emulate the Lagos state Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, describing it as a practical model that Cross River State can understudy.
He explained that such platforms provide young people with hands-on experience in public service, policy design, and governance, thereby bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world leadership demands.
“Cross River State can adapt similar models by creating structured fellowship programmes that expose our youths to governance processes while holding them accountable for measurable outcomes,” he noted.
While calling on government to create enabling structures, the Youth Council Chairman also challenged young people in the state to prepare themselves for leadership responsibilities.
Stressing that leadership requires, Discipline and continuous learning, Commitment to public service, Willingness to be accountable.
“The opportunity is there, but readiness is key. As young people, we must equip ourselves with the skills, knowledge and values needed to lead effectively when the opportunity comes,” he said.
The Chairman disclosed plans to engage relevant stakeholders upon his return to Cross River State, with the aim of translating insights from the Dialogue into actionable programmes.
He added that the Youth Council would initiate conversations with the state government and development partners to explore the establishment of a **structured youth leadership development framework** tailored to the needs of Cross River youths.
The Abuja Dialogue 2026, convened by the Office of the Vice-President in collaboration with the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, brought together policymakers, development experts, and youth leaders from across the country to discuss strategies for building a sustainable leadership pipeline for Nigeria.
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