FCT YOUTH COUNCIL VOWS TO GALVANIZE YOUTH PARTICIPATION AHEAD OF 2026 AREA COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
By: Omotoso Darlington and Obed Sambe
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has unveiled plans to intensify youth awareness and civic education ahead of the 2026 Area Council elections in the FCT.
The initiative is aimed at educating young people across the six Area Councils on voter registration, voting procedures, election timelines, and the importance of active, peaceful participation in local governance.
Speaking at the Council’s Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting held, at the Cinema Hall of the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Garki Area 10, Abuja, the FCT Chapter Secretary-General of NYCN, Comrade Kazeem Dadanla, pledged the Council’s commitment to mobilizing youths for credible and violence-free elections.
Comrade Dadanla disclosed that the FCT NYCN, in collaboration with the FCT Administration (FCTA) Youth and Sports Development Secretariat, will embark on a comprehensive sensitization campaign across the FCT.
According to him, the programme will also emphasize the rejection of electoral violence and promote peaceful conduct before, during, and after the elections. He also called on young people in the FCT to take ownership of their civic responsibilities.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Organising Secretary III of the NYCN, FCT Chapter, Samuel Peter, said the executive council met to chart a roadmap for youth engagement throughout 2026.
“Our mandate is to build the youth, and youth building translates directly into nation building. Young people have the energy, strength and numbers, and we must begin to channel these assets positively for the development of the FCT,” Peter said.
He urged youths to stop standing aloof and instead become active participants in governance and decision-making processes.
“There is nothing for the youth without the youth. If we want to be taken seriously, we must be seen to be actively involved,” he added.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Vice Chairman of the AMAC/Bwari Youth Council, Comrade Thomas Bulus Manzo, revealed that the sensitization programme would be conducted two weeks before the elections to allow sufficient time for outreach, engagement, and effective mobilization of young voters.
He added that the initiative is designed to promote informed participation, peaceful elections, and inclusive youth involvement across all six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.
Abuja Digest reports that the awareness campaign is expected to reach a total of 600 youths, with 100 participants drawn from each Area Council, representing various political wards across the FCT.
