Youths from northern and southern Nigeria on Saturday converged in Kaduna, where they signed a peace accord aimed at promoting national unity and strengthening their collective role in the country’s political and economic development.
The meeting, held at the Arewa House, Kaduna, was organised by the National Youth Alliance and drew youth representatives from the South-East, South-South and South-West, alongside their counterparts from the North.
The gathering culminated in the signing of a peace accord titled “The Birthing of a New Nigeria,” with participants pledging to shun ethnic and religious divisions and to speak with one voice in the interest of national cohesion and democratic stability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chairman of the National Youth Alliance (North), Abubakar Mohammed-General, decried what he described as the long-standing manipulation of youths by political elites for selfish interests.
According to him, Nigerian youths had for decades been divided along ethnic and religious lines through misinformation and deliberate falsehoods, turning them into instruments of conflict rather than partners in development.
“For decades, politicians and elites have been using us to gain power and political relevance. They divided us along religious and ethnic lines through fake news and misinformation,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of southern delegates, the Vice-Chairman of NYA (South), Meshack Onyeche, said Nigeria’s unity was non-negotiable, adding that youths across the country had resolved to reject divisive narratives.
“Nigeria can never be divided. Nigeria is our country,” Onyeche said, noting that young people had borne the brunt of political instability, economic hardship and social dislocation.
Earlier, the Convener of the National Youth Alliance, Ambassador Aliyu Bin Abbas, traced the evolution of the group, explaining that it initially sought registration as a political party but was denied by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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“Instead of being defeated, we continued our programmes and eventually metamorphosed into a movement,” Abbas said.
He expressed concern that youths had continued to be misled by leaders he accused of prioritising personal and family interests over national development.
The peace accord comes amid growing concerns over insecurity, economic hardship and the potential exploitation of identity politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
The National Youth Alliance, which emerged as a cross-regional movement after its bid to register as a political party was rejected, said it would continue to focus on advocacy, peacebuilding and political education to foster unity and cooperation among Nigerian youths.