WorldStage– The evening of Thursday, September 4, 2025 came as a pointer to how Nigeria is capable of scaling its socio-political challenges and advance into a country of met hope. It’s an evening that Minister of State for Regional Development, Hon. Uba Maigari Ahmadu was a special guest at an “Evening of Policy Conversation and Networking with the APC Youth Wing in Abuja, courtesy of Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader.
The event fostered open dialogue on regional development, youth empowerment, and community-driven growth. It was a platform for connection, collaboration, and collective visioning. In recognition of his impactful leadership, the Hon. Minister received two awards – Outstanding Contribution to National Development.
It was also a platform for the minister to discuss regional growth initiatives and the government’s plans with policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders; vision for regional growth, and share his ministry’s key initiatives and vision for fostering regional growth and development.
Maigari, at the event, gave a rundown on the performance of various regional development commissions, such as the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the newly inaugurated North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
He also dwell on Regional Development efforts that he said focused mainly on: exploring collaborative approaches that link education to broader strategies for regional growth and sustainability; Education and Policy Implementation through review of areas where cooperation can support effective implementation of policies designed to enhance access and quality of education; Resource Allocation and Efficiency that is hinged on considering ways to improve the deployment of resources in ways that benefit schools and communities; and Community Empowerment through highlighting the role of education and skills development in empowering local communities and strengthening social welfare.
The minister equally highlighted the efforts and successes of agencies under his ministry in achieving the objectives of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He acknowledged the importance of youth engagement in achieving the goals of the ministry and praised the organizer, Dayo Israel, for his spirit and innovative character by making the event a unique opportunity for young policymakers and innovators to engage directly with the minister on the future of Nigeria.
Back-grounding the APC’s National Youth Leadership and its sister counterpart, the APC’S National Youth Wing (NYW), Dayo Israel described the wing as the vibrant and dynamic youth arm of the party, which according to him is Africa’s largest political party. “As a powerbase of the APC, the youth wing plays a pivotal role in fostering political awareness, leadership, development, and civic participation among Nigerian youth. Also committed to the principles of the Renewed Hope Agenda, the youth wing seeks to channel the energy and vibrancy of youthfulness into making the realization of that objective possible,” he stated.
Israel said the youth wing is envisioned to be the leading force in mobilizing, empowering and actively engaging the youth of Nigeria in shaping a future where they are integrated contributors to the development and progress of the nation. “We envision a strong and active youth wing with a membership base of over 40 million young Nigerians,” he clarified further.
On the mission of the youth wing, he stated it’s committed to mobilizing, empowering and aligning the youth with the party’s objective and the Renewed Hope Agenda. According to him, the wing aims to create an environment where young people can actively participate in the political, economic and social spheres, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the party and Nigeria as a whole.
He said the empowerment of the Nigerian youth is a journey, not just a goal and that through skill-building programme, leadership development and opportunity for growth, the youth wing aspires to ensure that every young progressive becomes a contributor to the opportunity of the nation.
Shedding more light on the essence of the youth body, he stated: “As we navigate the part to the 2027 election of our flag bearers and re-election of the Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I invite all young progressives to join us in the transformative journey. Together, let’s amplify the vision of the party and the spirit of Renewed Hope, and in doing so, shape a Nigeria that thrives on the dreams and aspirations of it’s youth.
“Over the next three years, our focus is unwavering: to build the capacity of our youth, and in turn pave the way for the 2027 re-election of President Bola Tinubu. This ambitious strategy addresses key facts of youth mobilization, empowerment and ideological alignment with the ideals of the Bola Tinubu administration.
“Also, over the next three years and more, our ambitious strategy unfolds across a multifaceted landscape, addressing key aspects that resonate with the youth, from mobilization to empowerment, our focus is on fostering a sense of belonging, purpose, and active participation in the political process.”
Dayo Israel is an influential and dynamic figure within the APC, renowned as a motivational speaker, advisor to global leaders, and successful social entrepreneur. His multifaceted background encompasses over 20 years of professional experience in international development, with impressive resume including roles with prestigious organizations such as The United Nations, British Council, Save the Children UK, and UNICEF.
Beyond his role as the National Youth Leader, Dayo is a globally recognized personality contributing significantly to various fields. He serves as a social entrepreneur, evangelist, TV personality, diplomat, youth advocate, facilitator, and high-performance coach.
His leadership extends to the founding and management of multiple profit and not-for-profit organizations across Europe, North America, and Africa. Dayo’s impact transcends geographical boundaries, with a global footprint in his involvement with international organizations and initiatives.
His work spans Nigeria, Europe, North America, and Africa, reflecting his commitment to addressing challenges and creating opportunities on a global scale.
