NILDS Director-General highlights Shettima’s career and calls for youth policy reform

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has addressed two distinct themes regarding Nigerian leadership and development.

First, Sulaiman congratulated Vice-President Kashim Shettima on his 60th birthday, highlighting a career that spans banking, governance, and legislation. He noted Shettima’s tenure as Governor of Borno State, where he managed reconstruction efforts during the Boko Haram insurgency, and his current role chairing the National Economic Council, where he advocates for a one trillion dollar economy and technological innovation.

Second, speaking at the 2026 State of the Nigerian Youth Dialogue in Abuja, Sulaiman called for a fundamental shift in how Nigeria engages its youth. He argued that with approximately 60 per cent of the population under age 30, young Nigerians must transition from being electoral tools to active co-creators of public policy. He expressed concern over unimplemented policies and the socio-economic challenges facing the nation's youth.