Youths across Nigeria have been urged to take up leadership roles in health governance as a critical step toward transforming the country’s healthcare system.
The call was made at the NextGen Health Governance Conference, the final phase of the NextGen Health Governance Project organised by the Get Healthy Africa Initiative (GHAi) with support from the Nigeria Youth Future Fund.
Speaking at the event, the Project Lead, Faysol Oluwakemi, said the initiative was designed to address the low level of youth participation in health policy and decision-making processes.
He noted that many young people lack awareness of their rights and roles within the health system, stressing that empowering them with the right knowledge is key to fostering meaningful participation.
According to him, the project began with capacity-building workshops where participants were trained on health systems and governance, followed by community-based fact-finding exercises to identify healthcare challenges at the grassroots.
“The idea is to ensure that young people are not just informed but also actively involved. After the training, they returned to their communities to assess the realities of their health systems and identify areas where they can contribute."
Oluwakemi explained that the conference, alongside a hackathon, marked the final stage of the project, providing a platform for participants to share ideas and propose innovative solutions to challenges in the health sector.
He urged youths to leverage their energy, creativity and technological skills to drive positive change, adding that they must begin to see themselves as leaders of today rather than tomorrow.
Highlighting gaps in the system, he observed that health decisions are often made without adequate input from communities, particularly young people.
“You cannot design effective health interventions without engaging the people they are meant for. Inclusive decision-making and proper needs assessment are essential for sustainable healthcare delivery,” he added.
Also speaking, a member of the Board of Trustees of GHAi, Dr. Kehinde Hakeem Adegoke, described youths as key drivers of transformation in the health sector.
He emphasised that young people serve as a vital link between communities and policymakers, noting that their involvement can help ensure that health policies reflect the actual needs of the people.
“Once youths understand the health challenges in their communities, they can engage stakeholders and advocate for the right interventions. Policies that are co-created with the people are more effective,” he said.
Adegoke further stressed that youth inclusion in decision-making would enhance innovation and strengthen healthcare delivery across the country.
The Guest Speaker and National President of the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF), MLS Adeola-Oyekan Joshua, said health systems across the globe are facing mounting pressure, driven not only by inadequate funding but also by deep-rooted governance failures.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Next-Gen Health Governance: Youth Catalyst for Leadership in Health System Transformation,” he noted that rising population demands, workforce shortages and limited access to essential health services continue to widen the gap in care delivery, while weak accountability, poor digital infrastructure, and policy implementation failures further compound the crisis.
He added that the exclusion of young people from decision-making processes has weakened the system, reinforcing the argument that governance not just financial investment, remains at the heart of the challenges confronting healthcare.
According to him, young people should no longer be seen as future leaders but as immediate drivers of transformation, given their digital expertise, creativity, and strong ties to local communities.
He emphasised that effective youth leadership must be anchored on strategic thinking, policy awareness, ethical conduct, collaboration, and clear communication.
He, therefore, called on governments to institutionalise youth representation, ensure dedicated funding for innovation, and strengthen accountability mechanisms. He also challenged both young leaders and policymakers to take decisive action by building competence, engaging in governance, and driving sustainable change towards more responsive and equitable health systems.
In his goodwill message, the Ondo State Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Mr. Martins Alo, highlighted the importance of data-driven advocacy and sustained engagement with policymakers.
He called for greater inclusivity, particularly for persons with disabilities, and urged stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the initiative beyond the conference.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite noted that the conference came at a critical time when conversations around health governance are not just necessary but urgent, especially for developing societies striving to build resilient and inclusive systems.
Represented by the Assistant General Secretary of the Union, Comrade Precious Oluwole, he said that journalists occupy a unique position in shaping public discourse, adding that media is not only a watchdog but also a bridge between policymakers and the people. "In the context of health governance, our responsibility extends beyond reporting, we must educate, enlighten and amplify issues that affect the wellbeing of our communities".
"I am particularly encouraged by the focus of this conference on youth-led innovation and inclusive governance. The future of our health systems lies in how well we engage young people today, not just as beneficiaries but as active contributors to policy and innovation.
"When young minds are empowered with the right knowledge, tools and platforms, they become powerful drivers of change capable of transforming our healthcare landscape for the better".
He commended the organisers for bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders. Collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable development. "Government alone cannot shoulder the burden of healthcare delivery; it requires synergy with civil society, the private sector and indeed, the media".
Adegbite urged all participants to focus on practical, actionable outcomes that will translate into real impact for our people, especially at the grassroots.
"I assure you that the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and its members will continue to lend our voices and platforms to improve the quality of life of our citizens", he concluded.
Similarly, the Head of Legal Department at the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, Catherine Ogbunjebi, described the conference as timely and inspiring, encouraging youths to move beyond complaints to active involvement in community development.
She advised young people to engage platforms such as Ward Development Committees to influence change at the grassroots level.
Also, the Programme officer of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) in Ifedore Local Government, Mrs Esther urged the youths to join the train and contribute meaningfully where it matters.
She stressed that their involvement is paramount in making health policies, as they have a large percentage of the population.
The State Coordinator of the Nigerian National Volunteer Service and the Head of the Volunteer Service and former Senior Special Assistant to Govenor Aiyedatiwa on Volunteer Service, Mr Adeolu Iwakun, who also spoke at the event, reiterated the need for stronger collaboration between youths, civil society and government in improving healthcare delivery.
He assured participants of continued support for youth-led initiatives aimed at strengthening health governance and promoting sustainable development.
One of the fellows, Idowu Tolulope, said the initiative had empowered her to contribute to conversations on health policy and advocate for issues affecting young people, including mental health and rehabilitation.
“This programme has shown me that my voice matters. Youth participation is important in shaping policies that truly address our needs,” she said.
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