By Zubair Aliyu Rogun
It is a known fact that over 60% of the youth population in Nigeria is under 35 and as such the conversation around youth inclusion in governance has continued to linger for decades.
Not only that, it has also become worrisome and disheartening that despite the discussions, outcome of the meetings are rarely implemented.
Worst still, successive administrations in the country often pay lip service to the empowerment of young Nigerians, thereby sidelining them when real decisions are to be made or powerful political positions are up for grab.
However, the narrative today, is undergoing a quiet revolution via the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, where the youth are now championing the cause, with Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son leading by example.
While it is common in Nigeria to view the offspring of leaders as symbolic figures, Seyi has changed the perception through his exceptional leadership style.
Today, ST as he is fondling called in the political parlance is increasing political visibility, coordination, and has over the years demonstrated firm alignment with youth causes, a development that has now earned him the popular tag: “Youthful and Useful” amongst the teeming youth populace.
Beforehand
Before 2023 general elections, youth inclusion in Nigeria was largely ceremonial. The “Not Too Young To Run” law, (was, and still) a step in the right direction, but is yet to be matched with political will.
Before now, youths were often relegated to campaign crowds, social media propaganda, or advisory boards with no real decision-making power.
Meanwhile offices like ministerial, executives, aides, board chairs, MDs/CEOs and DGs, were overwhelmingly occupied by older political elites. The disconnect has since created frustration, apathy, and an increasing sense of exclusion among Nigeria’s young population.
The turnaround
When President Tinubu assumed office, there were skepticisms and palpables about whether the Renewed Hope Agenda would translate into meaningful inclusion for young people. But behind the scenes, a youthful figure began coordinating, networking, and influencing. That figure was Seyi Tinubu.
Despite not holding any official government position, ST has used his proximity to power to advocate, recommend, and influence the appointment of capable young Nigerians into federal positions. His deep engagement with youth groups, political think tanks, tech entrepreneurs, and grassroots movements has repositioned him as the de facto liaison between young Nigerians and the federal government.
He has become a bridge between legacy and the future; between the older generation that built Nigeria’s political foundations and the new generation poised to redefine its destiny.
Youth in Power: Names that shows the shift
President Tinubu’s administration have, under the influence of its Renewed Hope Agenda appointed several young Nigerians into strategic roles, marking a clear departure from the past.
Some notable appointments include:
Hon. Ayodele Olawande – Minister of Youth Development, in his early 30s, a passionate grassroots mobilizer and youth activist.
Khalil Suleiman Halilu – CEO of National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), appointed at just 32, leading innovation efforts.
Mark C. Okoye – Managing Director, South East Development Commission appointed at 39 to lead the regional development commission.
Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo – Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) appointed in 2024 in his early 40s.
Tijani Bosun – Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, though in his late 40s but fair and a respected tech entrepreneur, symbolizing youth-led transformation in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Barr. Ismael Ahmed – a known youth advocate recently appointed Executive Chairman, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi)
Many young Nigerians have been appointed Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Executive Directors currently serving under this APC led administration to state few.
These appointments, influenced in full or partly by Seyi Tinubu’s advocacy, reflect a clear intent to mainstream youth capacity into national development.
More than Just President Son
A lot of people have argued that what distinguished Barrister Tinubu is his understanding of modern youth culture in politics, tech, media, enterprise, and strategic activism.
He also speaks the language of our generation with action, yet remains grounded in the political architecture of his father’s legacy. While detractors may reduce his influence to nepotism, his consistent engagement and policy-driven influence say otherwise.
To many Nigerian youths, he has become a symbol of the face of the Renewed Hope mantra of his father, particularly among politically disengaged youth, signaling that young Nigerians can have access to real power and use it for positive change.
Championing generation cause
The phrase “Youthful and Useful” isn’t just about age, it’s about impact, purpose, and influence.
Seyi Tinubu no doubt, has helped elevate youth concerns to the heart of governance, thereby turning passive complaints into sustainable success of a generational symbol of youth leadership and role model in action and not theory.
His influence underpins a broader change for the youths: as we move from campaign sidelines to cabinet meetings, from social media advocacy to statecraft, and from marginal roles to policy and decision makers.
Going forward: That tomorrow is now!
Every nation’s demographic strength lies in its youth. In Nigeria, the challenge has always been to convert that strength into leadership, innovation, and governance. The popular narrative is that, ‘Youth are the Leaders of tomorrow’ but ‘that tomorrow is now’.
The future is not just coming. For Nigerian youths—it is now!
According to -Ralph Nader, “the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” With Seyi Tinubu’s role in mainstreaming young people into government leadeship positions, we are beginning to see the first real wave of generational transition in Nigeria’s national leadership.
Without any doubt, “Youthful & Useful” and true Son of The Jagaban!
Zubair Aliyu Rogun, the
APC Zonal Youth Leader
North Central Geopolitical Zone writes from Kwara.
Can be reached on apczonalyouthleadernc@gmail.com
