The Youth in Parliament Forum (YIPF) on Tuesday unveiled the Take Action Campaign (TAC 2027), a robust national initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians to seek elective office and lead transformative governance across all levels.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to formally launch the campaign, Hon. Tony Nwulu, Director General of YIPF and convener of the campaign, declared that Nigeria’s young population must move “from political sidelines to the decision-making table.”
“The unveiling of the Take Action Campaign marks the beginning of a journey that will see the rise of a new political consciousness—one led by young Nigerians who are ready to legislate, innovate, and govern,” Nwulu said.
He emphasised that the campaign’s core mission is to establish a new generation of elected young leaders by 2027 through the transformation of political spaces into vibrant, inclusive, and youth-driven platforms.
“This is more than a campaign. It is a national call to action. We are not just calling on youth to run for office. We are providing them with the mentorship, tools, and resources to win and lead ethically,” Nwulu added.
The Take Action Campaign (TAC) targets youth aged 25 to 45 who wish to contest for political office—governorship, state assemblies, House of Representatives, and Senate.
Aspirants will go through rigorous screening, leadership training, and interviews before qualifying for strategic campaign support.
Nwulu also highlighted the need to increase women’s participation in politics, lamenting that Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female representation in sub-Saharan Africa—just 4%, despite women constituting 50% of the population.
“That 4% is not good enough. We want to see more young women take their place at the table. Nigeria must work for all of us—not just a select few,” he said.
The campaign will provide selected aspirants with holistic support, including political coaching, electoral strategy, social and mainstream media support, legal aid, and fundraising training.
Experts from across sectors are also being invited to register on the campaign’s website to volunteer their skills.
Speaking during the event, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, a member of the House of Representatives, who was represented by Hon. Alao Akala, urged Nigerian youth to rise beyond rhetoric and take deliberate action to shape the country’s political future.
“The youth are not just the future—they are the present. They must begin to reflect their numbers in the governance of this nation,” he said.
Speaker Abbas underscored the contradiction between Nigeria’s youth population—over 60%—and their low participation in governance. He stressed the importance of structured political engagement, referencing legislative reforms like the Not Too Young to Run as key enablers.
“If we cannot articulate the change we want or push for it through structured engagement, then what are we doing?” he asked.
He called on young people to take advantage of proposed reforms such as gender inclusion bills currently before the National Assembly, adding, “Imagine if over 100 seats were reserved for women and more than 70 of those seats were occupied by women under 35. That would change the national conversation entirely.”
The Speaker also addressed the growing “japa” trend of youth emigration, saying, “Even with a blue passport abroad, you’re still a second-class citizen. This is your land, your mission, your birthright. Get involved. Monitor policies. Ask hard questions. Make noise where it matters.”
Also throwing his weight behind the programme, the Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo, represented by Moses Okezie-Okafor, Director General of Research and Development, said, “Some youths decided to take action, and the political space opened up. This campaign is the action phase. This is not just about talk—it’s time to lead,” he said.
He noted Kogi’s unique gender inclusion model, where all local government deputy chairpersons are women, and key offices like the Secretary to the State Government and Accountant General are also held by women.
“The goal is to create a deliberate, balanced political structure that allows women and young people to thrive,” Okezie-Okafor added.
