A youth-focused organisation, Inclusive Development (INCLUDE), has unveiled the Change-Maker’s Public Policy Guide, a new resource aimed at empowering young Nigerians with the knowledge and practical skills required to participate effectively in governance, policymaking and accountability processes.
The guide was launched in Abuja on Friday during the closing ceremony of a five-week intensive capacity-building programme designed to enhance youth participation in public policy development and civic engagement.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Inclusive Development, Bukola Taiwo, said the initiative was developed to address the gap between young people’s interest in influencing governance and their understanding of policy systems and processes.
She noted that while many young Nigerians are eager to engage with government institutions, a lack of knowledge about how public policy works often limits their participation.
According to Taiwo, the programme trained 20 young people in public policy, governance and accountability, with 17 participants successfully producing policy briefs addressing challenges affecting their communities and the country.
She explained that participants jointly developed the Change-Maker’s Public Policy Guide as a practical resource to help young people navigate policy processes at both state and national levels.
“The goal of the programme was to amplify the voices of young people in public policy discussions and equip them with the tools needed to engage governance and accountability systems effectively,” she said.
Taiwo added that the guide provides insights into how government institutions function and offers strategies for citizens to engage, influence and contribute to policy development across different levels of government.
The training covered critical areas such as policy research, systems thinking, power mapping, problem analysis and advocacy. Participants were also introduced to analytical tools, including systems change frameworks, power mapping techniques and problem analysis models, to help them develop evidence-based policy solutions.
In addition, the programme highlighted the role of storytelling in shaping public discourse and influencing policy conversations, demonstrating how compelling narratives can drive social and political change.
The initiative was organised by Inclusive Development (INCLUDE) with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund and the Amandla Institute for Leadership and Policy Advancement.
Taiwo reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empowering young people, particularly those from underserved and marginalised communities, to take active roles in governance and development efforts.
Inclusive Development is a youth-led organisation dedicated to advancing equity, peace and justice through programmes that support underserved populations. Its work focuses on governance, peacebuilding and gender justice, contributing to sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.
Stakeholders at the launch described the guide as a timely and valuable intervention capable of boosting youth involvement in policymaking while helping bridge the divide between citizens and government institutions.
