Umar Lauya Declares Candidacy for NYCN Presidency, Vows to Unite and Empower Nigerian Youth
In a declaration speech delivered at 17 Tougcourt Street, Wuse Zone 2, Umar Alhaji Lauya Hardawa officially announced his intention to run for the position of National President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). The event, held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, saw Lauya outline his vision for a united and empowered Nigerian youth, emphasizing his campaign slogan: “Build the Youth, Build the Nation!”
Lauya, who previously served as the Chairman of the NYCN in Bauchi State and as the leader of the Bauchi State Youth Consultative Forum, highlighted his past efforts in securing scholarships, jobs, and peace initiatives. Drawing on his upbringing in the Hardawa District Palace, he stated that his core principles of leadership are rooted in responsibility and sacrifice.
He addressed the significant challenges facing Nigerian youth, citing statistics from various national and international bodies. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), youth unemployment dropped to 6.5% in the second quarter of 2024, but underemployment remains a major issue, affecting over 53% of young Nigerians. The NBS Labour Force Survey also reveals that 41.7% of youth aged 15-24 are not engaged in work, study, or training. Furthermore, UNESCO and UNICEF data indicates that 18.3 million Nigerian children and youth are out of school.
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Lauya also pointed to regional disparities and specific crises. He noted that in Katsina State, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) documented 652 child deaths from malnutrition in the first half of 2025, a 208% increase from the previous year. He acknowledged that economic and social pressures are also prevalent in the Southern regions, citing youth unemployment rates above the national average in states like Abia (18.7%), Rivers (13.4%), and Imo (10.9%). He further mentioned that in some communities in Ogun State, school dropout rates have more than doubled due to economic hardship.
A central theme of Lauya’s speech was his commitment to healing the internal divisions plaguing the NYCN. He described the organization as “fractured from within” due to “factional battles, court orders, and leadership crises.” He pledged that if elected, his primary focus would be to reconcile all factions through transparent dialogue, guided by the organization’s constitution. He also promised to audit and reform the NYCN’s governance to restore it as a “stable, united engine” dedicated to youth empowerment.
Lauya outlined a six-point agenda to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Nigerian youth:
Empowerment: Implementing real projects in entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and digital innovation.
Sports: Developing world-class sports academies and reviving the national football league.
Creative Industries: Supporting the entertainment and creative sectors to create jobs and shape Nigeria’s global image.
Student Leadership: Building stronger youth bodies to serve as platforms for future leaders.
Education: Strengthening student loan schemes and ensuring true inclusion in governance.
National Unity: Breaking down ethnic, religious, and regional barriers to unite the youth.
He concluded his speech by emphasizing that his campaign is about uniting and rebuilding the NYCN, and that he possesses the necessary experience and networks to deliver on his promises. Lauya called on the youth to entrust him with the mandate to lead, promising that their faith in him would not be in vain.
By PRNigeria
