The South-West Zonal Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Adesuyi Daramola, has commended Seyi Tinubu for his engagement with young Nigerians, highlighting his advocacy for youth inclusion, empowerment and greater participation in governance.
Daramola made the remarks during the APC South-West Youth Leadership and Engagement Programme held on September 10, 2026, at Lagos Television in Ikeja, Lagos. The gathering brought together youth leaders, elected officials, party stakeholders and emerging political actors from across the six states in the South-West region.
The programme focused on leadership development, capacity building, grassroots mobilisation and the need to create more opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in political and public life.
In his address, Daramola emphasised that youth engagement should extend beyond political mobilisation to include preparation for leadership, active participation in decision-making and the assumption of greater responsibilities within public institutions.
He particularly acknowledged Seyi Tinubu’s advocacy for youth inclusion, describing engagement with the younger generation as an important part of efforts to expand opportunities for emerging leaders.
Moving Youths Beyond Mobilisation
Daramola’s remarks placed emphasis on the need for young Nigerians to move beyond attending political gatherings and supporting campaigns to developing the skills and experience required for leadership.
He argued that meaningful youth participation involves capacity building, responsibility, ownership and measurable contributions to governance.
The position reflects a wider discussion within political parties about how young members can progress from grassroots organising into policy development, public administration and elective office.
For many young Nigerians, participation in politics can provide opportunities to influence public policy and contribute to decisions affecting education, employment, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and social development. However, such participation also requires preparation, access to mentorship and opportunities to acquire practical leadership experience.
The APC South-West youth engagement programme was organised around these concerns, providing a platform for participants to exchange ideas about leadership and the role of young people in strengthening political institutions.
Daramola urged participants to regard their involvement in politics as a responsibility that requires discipline, competence and sustained engagement with their communities.
Seyi Tinubu’s Role in Youth Engagement
Seyi Tinubu has become a visible figure in conversations surrounding youth empowerment and political participation, particularly through engagements with young people, community initiatives and networks associated with youth development.
His supporters have pointed to his involvement in philanthropic activities and efforts to encourage young people to participate in national development. His engagement with political stakeholders has also drawn attention to the role that informal networks and mentorship can play in connecting younger people with established leaders.
Daramola’s commendation adds to the public recognition Seyi Tinubu has received from political figures and youth groups for his advocacy on youth inclusion.
Nevertheless, the broader question remains how such advocacy can translate into practical opportunities, including skills development, access to funding, entrepreneurship support and participation in decision-making.
For youth engagement to deliver lasting results, stakeholders must create structures that allow young people to contribute ideas, develop leadership capabilities and take responsibility for projects that respond to the needs of their communities.
Building Leadership Capacity Across the South-West
The programme brought together participants from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, reflecting the organisers’ focus on strengthening youth leadership networks across the region.
Discussions centred on grassroots participation, leadership development and the need for young party members to understand the structures through which political organisations operate.
Grassroots engagement remains important because political participation is not limited to national conferences or major rallies. It also takes place in wards, local government areas and communities where residents raise concerns about public services and local development.
Youth leaders who understand these concerns can help communicate community priorities to party officials and public institutions. They can also encourage greater participation in civic activities and contribute to discussions about solutions to local challenges.
Daramola called on young progressives to return to their respective states, local governments, wards and polling units better prepared to contribute to political organisation and community engagement.
His message stressed that political structures depend on consistent participation at every level, rather than activity concentrated only around election periods.
Recognising Other Contributors to Youth Development
Daramola also acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, and APC National Youth Leader, Dr Dayo Israel, to youth development and political participation.
Their involvement in youth-focused initiatives highlights the different roles that party structures and government institutions can play in expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
While political parties organise members and prepare emerging leaders, government programmes can support broader youth development through education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and employment initiatives.
Effective coordination between these areas can help ensure that young people are not only mobilised for political activities but also equipped with skills and opportunities that remain relevant beyond election cycles.
The programme also featured discussions among political stakeholders on grassroots organisation, public leadership and the responsibilities associated with political participation.
Looking Ahead to 2027
With the 2027 general elections approaching, youth engagement is expected to remain an important part of political organising across Nigeria.
Young people constitute a significant part of the electorate, making their participation relevant to political parties seeking to expand their membership and communicate their programmes.
However, meaningful engagement involves more than encouraging young Nigerians to support particular candidates. It also requires listening to their concerns, providing opportunities for participation and explaining how policies may affect their lives.
Issues such as unemployment, education costs, access to finance, skills development and the cost of living are likely to remain central to discussions about the needs and expectations of young Nigerians.
For the APC, initiatives that bring youth leaders together can provide opportunities to strengthen internal organisation and prepare members for responsibilities at different levels. The effectiveness of such programmes will ultimately depend on whether participants can apply what they learn and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Daramola’s commendation of Seyi Tinubu reflects the importance party stakeholders place on youth inclusion and leadership development. His message also reinforces the need for young political actors to combine mobilisation with competence, accountability and sustained community engagement.
As preparations for 2027 continue, the challenge for political organisations will be to turn discussions about youth participation into practical opportunities that allow young Nigerians to influence decisions, develop their capabilities and contribute to the country’s development.
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