Kaduna Youth Demand Greater Role In Procurement As State Launches Community Of Practice

By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna

Students and youth in Kaduna State have presented a bold list of demands during the official launch of the Students/Youths Community of Practice (CoP) on Open Contracting, initiated by the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA).

The CoP is designed to bring together students, youth, and other stakeholders to collaborate, share knowledge, and strengthen accountability in public procurement systems.

At the event, young participants called for deliberate inclusion in the state’s contracting space.

Their demands included making youth-led businesses major suppliers, engaging procurement students directly in government agencies, creating youth-specific contracts and grants, and mandating the use of local labor by contractors.

They also pushed for mentorship opportunities with civil servants, structured training to build capacity, and stronger involvement of youth in procurement oversight.

The students further proposed the establishment of designated hubs in schools, youth desk officers at KADPPA, the presence of youth representatives in government meetings, and an annual digital innovation challenge to assess the progress of youth hubs.

They urged for inclusive budget planning, extensive social media visibility for such initiatives, and stronger collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria.

Responding, the Director General of KADPPA, Engr. Sanusi Yero, reassured the youth that the state has already taken deliberate steps to empower them through its Gender Responsive Procurement Policy.

He explained that specific portions of state contracts are reserved exclusively for women, youths, and people with disabilities, ensuring fair competition in the procurement process.

Yero added that financial barriers have been lowered, with reductions in registration and processing fees, and in some cases, the government absorbing registration costs entirely.

“A dedicated Gender Desk has also been established at KADPPA to ensure women, youth, and PWDs can access these opportunities without hindrance”, he said.

He urged the young leaders to sustain their passion for transparency, noting that reforms can only last if constantly monitored.

“When officials know that youth and civil society are checking, questioning, and following up, they will be duty-bound to do the right thing,” he stressed, while challenging them to help expand monitoring to local governments.

In his goodwill message, Stephen Waya, Citizens’ Co-Chair on Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS), described the launch of the Youth Community of Practice as a milestone achievement.

He commended the Kaduna State government and civil society partners for co-creating the platform and encouraged the youths to remain bold, innovative, and constructive in demanding transparency.

“You are the present and the future. By asking questions, seeking answers, and holding leaders accountable, you can shape a governance system that works for all,” Waya told the students.

The launch marks Nigeria’s first student and youth-led Community of Practice on Open Contracting, setting a precedent for deeper youth involvement in governance and accountability frameworks across the country.