By Sani Idris Abdulrahman, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kaduna 

Kaduna State’s youthful population is a powerful engine for economic growth, but its full potential can only be realized through sustained public awareness, stakeholder commitment, and policy momentum, areas where the media plays an indispensable role.

This was the focus of a two-day media advocacy dialogue titled “Amplifying the Implementation of Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Roadmap through Media Advocacy,” organised by the Youth Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividends in collaboration with the LAFIYA Programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The initiative seeks to ensure that the demographic dividend narrative reaches young people, women, and marginalized communities, fostering inclusivity, equity, and broader support for the agenda in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063.

The dialogue was designed to equip young journalists, content creators, and social media influencers with the knowledge, skills, and tools to understand the Demographic Dividend Roadmap and its transformative benefits for Kaduna, craft compelling messages, co-create actionable media content, including key messages, target audiences, and multi-channel strategies—and forge lasting partnerships among media practitioners, government officials, and development partners.

Stakeholders emphasized that if properly harnessed, the demographic dividend could lead to increased productivity, higher savings, and greater tax revenues.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Shamsudeen Sani, Communications Coordinator of the LAFIYA Programme, said the economic benefits of the demographic dividend “can never be over-emphasized,” noting its strong multiplier effect on the economy and importance for effective government planning.

Aligning his remarks with the key benefits of the demographic dividend, he stated that a well-educated and skilled youth population enhances national productivity and economic growth. 

He added that improved productivity leads to higher national savings as more young people enter the workforce, while increased earnings translate into greater tax revenues, strengthening the government’s ability to invest in development.

Sani stressed the need to expand access to quality education—especially in rural and underserved communities—to equip young Nigerians with the skills necessary to fully participate in the economy.

He advocated for the integration of entrepreneurship education into secondary school curricula to nurture a generation of job creators.

 He also emphasized vocational and technical training, particularly in high-growth sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, and information technology, saying such programs provide immediate employment opportunities for youth.

Additionally, he highlighted the importance of health and nutrition in harnessing the demographic dividend. According to him, a healthy and well-nourished youth population is more likely to attend school consistently, excel academically, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economy.

 Investment in community nutrition programs, he further said, strengthens both human capital and national development.

Mr. Chanan Solomon, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Coordinator of the LAFIYA Programme, explained that the advocacy dialogue aimed to engage young journalists, content creators, and social media influencers in promoting the implementation of the Demographic Dividend Roadmap.

Earlier, Civil Society Co-Chair on Strengthening Social Protection System under OGP Kaduna SAPIII, Ms. Sumayya Abdullahi, reiterated the workshop’s objectives. These include increasing understanding among young media professionals about the roadmap and its benefits for Kaduna State, enhancing capacity to effectively communicate the demographic dividend message across multiple platforms, developing media content with key messages, target audiences, and communication strategies, and establishing partnerships between media practitioners, government officials, and development partners.

Also speaking, Mukhtar Zubairu, Special Adviser on NGOs to the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, described the engagement as a potential game-changer in how demographic dividends could be reported.

He said media and social media platforms play a crucial role in amplifying Nigeria’s demographic dividend, transforming a youthful population into an engine of national development. 

He noted that timely and accurate information helps traditional outlets like newspapers, radio, and television shape public opinion, raise awareness of educational and vocational opportunities, and share inspiring success stories that motivate young people toward productive paths.

Delivering a presentation titled “Understanding Kaduna State Demographic Dividends Roadmap, 2024,” Executive Director of Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation, Mr. Yusuf Goje, underscored the need for increased investment in human capital, especially among young people, to drive economic growth.

A participant, Mr. Gabriel Akhuetie, Head of Station at Correct FM Kaduna, said the training exposed participants to the importance of having a higher working population and reduced dependency rate. 

He said he now better understands the role of the media in creating awareness on the demographic dividend and promoting its implementation with proper cognisance of its advantages and importance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that participants made presentations on media strategies, development communication and evidence-based reporting to support Kaduna’s demographic dividend roadmap.(NAN)