By Abubakar Ahmed
Over 150 student leaders converged at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU Bauchi, on Tuesday for a Student Leadership Summit themed “Empowering Student Leaders as Catalysts for National Transformation.” The summit, organized by Young Leaders Network under the Student Union Leaders Transformational Programme (SULTaP), aimed to equip student leaders with democratic leadership skills, promote gender inclusion and equality, strengthen political activism, and enhance democratic values and principles.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of Young Leaders Network, Mr. Seun Justin Onarinde, emphasized the need to equip students’ minds to think, lead, and create solutions. He reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to amplifying youth voices and equipping them with the necessary tools to make a lasting impact.
Dr. Andee Iheme, a distinguished figure in Public Relations and Communications, delivered the keynote address titled “Rebuilding Student Interest in Education: The Role of Leadership and Advocacy.” He highlighted issues hindering the education sector and stressed the need for synergy between academia, industry, and government to drive national transformation.
Moses Danjuma Kusko, who serves as both the Project Manager of SULTaP and Programmes Manager Governance at Young Leaders Network, urged participants to utilize their leadership skills to make a positive impact. He thanked the Students Union Government and university management for their support.
Speaking at the event, the Team Lead of SULTaP in ATBU, Mr. Rex Stephen, appreciated the organization for the intervention and the University management for their consistent support throughout the project’s implementation. He expressed their unwavering commitment to sustaining the project for wider effectiveness due to its significant impact on empowering young student leaders.
The highlight of the summit was a Panel Discussion on “Addressing Student Institutional Leadership and the Power of Collaborations and Networking: A Call to Action for Student Leaders.” The panelists unanimously agreed that there is a need for the university to enhance and encourage more student engagement and a more inclusive campus environment that empowers student leaders to drive educational transformation and create positive change not only within the university but also in the broader community.
The summit demonstrates the commitment of Young Leaders Network, LEAP Africa, and Nigeria Youth Futures Fund to empowering young leaders and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria.