By Sani Adamu Hassan
A youth-focused anti-corruption initiative has called on young Nigerians to reject corrupt practices and take active roles in governance, accountability, and leadership as part of efforts to build a more transparent society.
The call was made in Bauchi during the implementation of “Not Your Share,” a civic engagement and media-driven project supported by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) and designed to challenge the normalization of corruption among young people in Bauchi and Gombe States.
Speaking during the programme, the Team Lead for Bauchi State, Aminu Harsanu Guyaba, said the initiative was designed to address the growing acceptance of corruption as a normal part of public life among young Nigerians.
According to him, corruption has spread across different sectors of society, including student unionism, youth groups, community associations, and even within everyday social interactions.
Guyaba explained that while some young people knowingly engage in corrupt practices, others may be contributing unknowingly due to lack of awareness and civic education.
He said the project seeks to sensitize and enlighten youth on the need to stay away from corruption and become active participants in governance and nation building.
Guyaba noted that the long-term goal is to see young Nigerians become more patriotic, actively involved in politics, and willing to hold leaders accountable by asking critical questions on governance issues.
He also stressed the importance of young people taking up leadership roles, noting that staying away from leadership positions has contributed to older generations dominating decision-making spaces.
To ensure sustainability beyond the formal project cycle, he said a WhatsApp accountability platform has been created to enable participants continue discussions on governance and community issues.
According to him, the project engaged 40 participants in Bauchi State and another 40 in Gombe State, drawn from youth groups, women associations, and student leadership structures.
Also speaking, Dr. Aminu Makama Ilela, who presented a paper on the role of youth in ensuring good governance, said young people have a major responsibility in shaping the future of the country.
He urged the youth to participate actively in political processes from party level to governance, monitor government activities, and use social media to educate their peers on accountability and transparency.
Dr. Ilela added that youth-led civic engagement remains key to reducing corruption and strengthening democratic governance in Nigeria.
Some of the participants, including Victor Stephen and Happiness Dauda, said the training had changed their understanding of leadership and public service.
They noted that the programme helped them understand that leadership should be about service to the people rather than an avenue to recover campaign expenses or accumulate wealth.
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