The European Union (EU) has inaugurated its second cohort of the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) Nigeria, a platform giving young Nigerians direct input on EU policy and programme decisions. The initiative, celebrated at a ceremony in Abuja last week, welcomed 25 dynamic young voices selected from a competitive pool of 3,000 applicants across the country.
The Youth Sounding Board represents the EU’s commitment to fostering dialogue between Nigerian youth and EU decision-makers. By placing young people in the advisory role, the EU is strengthening its approach to policies on issues critical to Nigeria’s future, from employment and education to human rights and climate action.
Gautier Mignot, the EU Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, underscored the importance of youth in building a stable, prosperous Nigeria. “Young people are the future,” he said. “Only they know what their peers expect, need, and yearn for. Their voices are vital to shaping interventions that impact Nigerian communities.”
The YSB allows young Nigerians to consult on pressing issues like digitalisation, gender equality, and social inclusion. Mignot noted that the EU’s collaboration with Nigeria aims to help the country build a sustainable and prosperous future—an objective that is in the EU’s interests as well.
This year’s cohort of 25 individuals was selected over three rigorous rounds. According to Mignot, the new members bring a “remarkable passion for youth inclusion,” and the EU is hopeful they will carry forward the achievements of the first cohort while making their own distinctive mark.
Iswat Badmus, a member of the pioneer YSB cohort, described her experience as transformative. “Being part of the YSB has been eye-opening,” she shared. As a Youth and Policy Advisor, Badmus has worked closely with the EU Delegation to understand both the EU’s policy landscape and the challenges young Nigerians face in making their voices heard.
Her role as a bridge between Nigerian youth and the EU has allowed her to amplify young Nigerians’ demands for more inclusive policies. Badmus emphasised the importance of youth representation, noting that the EU’s interventions are stronger and more relevant when youth perspectives are embedded in decision-making.
To the incoming YSB members, Badmus offered advice drawn from her own experience: “Come in with energy, fresh perspectives, and innovations. Your team spirit will help you move forward and faster,” she said. She encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity to represent their generation’s interests on a larger stage.
The EU’s Youth Sounding Board initiative aligns with its global objectives of youth empowerment and inclusion, particularly in regions with vibrant youth populations like Nigeria. With youth now constituting a majority, such initiatives are vital for ensuring policies that resonate with their aspirations and concerns.
As these new YSB members begin their tenure, they join a movement geared towards amplifying the role of youth in policymaking. Their input will continue shaping the EU delegation’s strategies, particularly in areas like peace, security, and environmental sustainability.
The EU remains hopeful that the YSB’s second cohort will push the boundaries of Nigerian youth involvement and, in doing so, help create impactful policies that benefit the nation at large.
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