…As Ministers Engage Over 1,000 University Students in Policy Dialogue

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dayo Israel, has convened the maiden edition of the “Renewed Hope Conversations,” drawing ministers, heads of federal agencies, and over 1,000 students of the University of Abuja (UNIAbuja) into an open and interactive engagement on governance and national development.

The event, held at the University of Abuja campus, served as a youth-focused dialogue platform aimed at bridging the communication gap between government institutions and young Nigerians.

It also provided students with a rare opportunity to directly interrogate policies and programmes under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Students actively participated in discussions, raising questions and offering perspectives on education reform, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and youth inclusion in governance. The interactive format allowed for real-time responses from policymakers, fostering a transparent exchange of ideas.

Among top government officials present were the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa; the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu; and the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Tope Fasua.

Also in attendance were heads of key national institutions, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, Uzoma Nwagba; the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, Temitope Ilori; the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Mojisola Adeyeye; and the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

These officials addressed students’ concerns, clarified government initiatives, and highlighted policy interventions designed to expand opportunities across education, healthcare, technology, and economic development sectors.

Participants described the session as impactful and unprecedented, noting that it marked their first direct interaction with senior government officials in such an open setting, just as they commended the APC National Youth Leader for creating a platform that amplifies youth voices and deepens participatory governance.

To encourage engagement, several students were rewarded with laptops, mobile phones, power banks, and other educational tools to support their academic and personal development.

With the success of the inaugural edition, stakeholders expressed optimism for the continuity of the initiative across campuses nationwide, reaffirming a commitment to sustained youth engagement.