Zamfara Youth Demand Development Commission and Relief

From: Abubakar Hamza 

Gusau—On November 4, 2025, the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) Zamfara State Chapter convened a press conference at the YAN State Chamber to brief journalists on the outcomes of its recent plenary session. Speaker Rt. Hon. Ishaka Idris Maikwai welcomed guests, emphasizing YAN’s role as a training ground for young legislators and a united voice advocating youth inclusion in governance, civic engagement, and development decision‑making across the country and fostering national unity among citizens today.

The motion highlighted escalating insecurity in Zamfara, with bandit attacks, mass kidnappings, arson and killings in Anka, Maradun, Shinkafi, Tsafe, Bukkuyum, Maru and parts of Gusau. Thousands are displaced, farms disrupted, schools closed, leaving families without shelter, food or medical care. The Assembly urged federal and state authorities to act, deploy security with logistics, and set up three IDP camps—one per zone—to provide food, shelter, education and healthcare, while seeking UN, UNICEF and UNHCR aid.

The motion called for establishing the Zamfara Youth Development Commission (ZYDC) under the Ministry of Youths and Sports. Youths make up over 65 % of the population but lack an empowerment framework. Citing Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Taraba and Cross River, the Assembly urged House of Assembly to pass a bill creating ZYDC, ensure gender, ethnic inclusivity in appointments, and mandate the commission to represent youth, coordinate empowerment, literacy, entrepreneurship and partner with agencies for peacebuilding.

The Assembly commended the Zamfara State Government for establishing the Persons with Disability (PWD) Board, a milestone for inclusive governance. It noted that persons with disabilities have long faced exclusion from education, employment and public affairs, and that the board aligns with Sustainable Development Goals on reducing inequalities. The Assembly urged operationalization with adequate budget and logistics, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring to ensure board improves welfare and opportunities for youth with disabilities across the state.

Another motion addressed Zamfara‑sponsored students at Cyprus International University left stranded due to unpaid tuition exceeding ₦1 billion. The Assembly demanded settlement of the debt, formalization of future scholarship agreements through Memoranda of Understanding specifying payment schedules and welfare, and creation of a Scholarship and Completion Fund within the state budget. It also urged liaison with missions and agencies to secure safety and welfare for all the affected students concerned and protect the state’s scholarship commitments.

The Assembly praised Governor Dr. Dauda Lawal for clearing ₦2.74 billion WAEC and NECO debts, enabling thousands of students to access results, and for paying ₦13.944 billion in pension and gratuity arrears, restoring dignity to retirees. It urged the state to implement consequential salary adjustments for senior civil servants to maintain fairness and motivation, and recommended harmonizing future wage policies to prevent disparities and sustain workforce unity and productivity. This will boost service delivery statewide for citizens.

In conclusion, the Youth Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to youth inclusion, peacebuilding, education and development, urging all stakeholders to act promptly on the resolutions. The Assembly called for swift implementation of the state scholarship scheme, establishment of an indigene verification committee, standardized certificates with security features, and legislation criminalizing fake certificates. It expressed confidence that with coordinated effort, in Zamfara will achieve lasting peace, inclusive growth, and a brighter future for all its citizens today.

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