Program Concept
Nigeria faces an increasing ‘youth bulge’ with a youth population currently standing at 123.4 million, approximately 63 per cent of the population. The United Nations (UN) predicts that by 2050, Nigeria will be the third-largest population in the world. While increased population could potentially offer the country key human capital for development, millions of Nigerian children and youth remain uneducated or poorly educated.
The lack of education is wide spread in Nigeria and is associated with increased youth unemployment, which is currently estimated at 42 per cent. Like most developing countries, violence, unemployment, poverty, and limited future opportunities continue to threaten the youth in Nigeria. The challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment, if not urgently addressed, will continue to increase socio-economic exclusion, migration and political tensions.
The Speak Up, Stand Out- SUSO Program is strategically designed to empower young people with media and information knowledge and grassroots mobilisation skills to participate meaningfully in the socio-political development of their communities by maximising digital platforms for social mobilisation, amplifying youth voices and developing people-led campaigns on issues that affect youth and influencing policies that affect youth.
The project empowered 20 activists with the knowledge, skills and resources to organise activism to challenge issues affecting youth, develop innovative ways to engage other young people and social actors to campaign and drive social change.
I am opportune to have been selected among the 20 activists across Nigeria.
Program Concept
Nigeria faces an increasing ‘youth bulge’ with a youth population currently standing at 123.4 million, approximately 63 per cent of the population. The United Nations (UN) predicts that by 2050, Nigeria will be the third-largest population in the world. While increased population could potentially offer the country key human capital for development, millions of Nigerian children and youth remain uneducated or poorly educated.
The lack of education is wide spread in Nigeria and is associated with increased youth unemployment, which is currently estimated at 42 per cent. Like most developing countries, violence, unemployment, poverty, and limited future opportunities continue to threaten the youth in Nigeria. The challenges of youth unemployment and underemployment, if not urgently addressed, will continue to increase socio-economic exclusion, migration and political tensions.
The Speak Up, Stand Out- SUSO Program is strategically designed to empower young people with media and information knowledge and grassroots mobilisation skills to participate meaningfully in the socio-political development of their communities by maximising digital platforms for social mobilisation, amplifying youth voices and developing people-led campaigns on issues that affect youth and influencing policies that affect youth.
The project empowered 20 activists with the knowledge, skills and resources to organise activism to challenge issues affecting youth, develop innovative ways to engage other young people and social actors to campaign and drive social change.
I am excited to have been selected among the 20 youth activists across Nigeria.
My Project under SUSO
Project Name: Strengthening Education Service Delivery in Enugu state
Project Summary
Enugu state made a significant 74% increase in her education budget from N7.04b in 2020 to N12.26b. In spite of this, 171,091 school age children in the state are still not in school; education infrastructures are still in deplorable condition. Where does the money go?
The project looked to strengthen education service delivery in the state, taking the responsibility to inspire and awaken noticed in youth activism, creating opportunity and platforms enabling them to take responsibility and to actively participate in the development process in their communities, particularly in education transformation process in the state.
Working alongside my advocates, we engaged community leaders/stakeholders and youths through town hall meetings, roundtable discussions and other fora. The project also hosted Facebook Live programs to get wider views of people regarding education service delivery in the state. Also, an important activity of the project was an advocacy and policy influencing training organised to equip young people with necessary skills that would enable them to hold government and other public office holders accountable. You can read more about the advocacy training here.
Purpose of the project
The project was expected to support young people with necessary information, skills and opportunity to effectively participate in development process in their respective communities and with particular respect to strengthening education service delivery in Enugu state.
Young people tend to stand aloof and rather often wail, whine and complain about development challenges in the state. However, development is a process that require multi-stakeholder engagement and participation, and the youth demography must not be found wanting. Last year, Enugu state made a significant 74% increase in her education budget from N7.04b in 2020 to N12.26b. In spite of this, 171,091 school age children in the state are still not in school; education infrastructures are still in deplorable condition. Young people’s engagement and participation is needed to ensure effective education service delivery in the state.
Having identified specific educational issues in the state and equipped with necessary skills and information, young people in the state are prepared to effectively hold government accountable through advocacy, policy influencing activities and other activities to ensure quality education service delivery in the state.
Specific outcomes
- Improved participation of young people in education service delivery in the state.
- Improved knowledge of 50 young people on community participation and engaging relevant stakeholders in the education transformation in the state.
- Improved the skills of 50 young people in education advocacy and policy influencing strategies.
- Improved awareness of civic responsibility
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