Police Unveils National Youth Leadership, Security Initiative to Mark International Youth Day 2026
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has unveiled a three-day National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative as part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day, with a focus on strengthening Police-youth partnerships, promoting responsible citizenship and preventing youth involvement in violence and digital crime.
The programme, scheduled for August 20–22, 2026, will take place at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, with corresponding activities across the Force’s zonal and state commands nationwide.
A statement signed by CSP Ani Iniedu, ANIPR, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on August 9, said the programme was designed as a flagship preventive-policing initiative aimed at harnessing the potential of young Nigerians in building safer and more peaceful communities.
The initiative is themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” in line with the United Nations’ International Youth Day theme.
According to the statement, the programme will promote youth leadership, responsible citizenship, innovation, entrepreneurship, digital responsibility and peaceful democratic participation, while creating stronger platforms for constructive engagement between young people and the Police.
Police, youths to engage on security and leadership
The three-day programme will feature youth leadership dialogues, moderated Police-youth engagement sessions, panel discussions and innovation and entrepreneurship showcases.
Other activities include a peace and security walkathon, novelty sporting activities and a national tree-planting initiative tagged “Plant Peace. Grow Nigeria. Secure the Future.”
The Force will also recognise outstanding young Nigerians through youth honours and awards.
A major highlight of the programme will be the launch, on August 22, of a publication titled Esteemed Youths: A National Youth Reorientation Resource, which the Police said would serve as a tool for youth development and reorientation.
Police target political, digital thuggery
As part of the initiative, the NPF will launch two nationwide youth reorientation campaigns aimed at addressing emerging threats associated with political violence and irresponsible use of digital platforms.
The first campaign, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” is designed to discourage political violence, electoral thuggery and digital manipulation among young people.
The second, “Think Before You Click. Verify Before You Share,” will promote responsible digital citizenship and tackle misinformation, disinformation, cyberbullying and the misuse of emerging technologies.
The Police said the campaigns were intended to encourage young Nigerians to become responsible participants in both the democratic and digital spaces.
Police seek broad stakeholder participation
The Force invited Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, diplomatic missions, youth organisations, educational institutions, civil society organisations, faith-based groups, private-sector organisations and members of the public to participate in and support the initiative.
Registration for the programme, according to the statement, is currently open through the official programme portal.
The NPF said the initiative was anchored on its broader commitment to preventive policing, stressing that early engagement with young people was critical to addressing security challenges before they escalate.
The Force noted that empowering youths with appropriate values, opportunities and leadership platforms remained essential to building a peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to preventive policing through strategic youth engagement, recognising that empowering young people with the right values, opportunities, and leadership platforms is essential to building a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Nigeria.”
The initiative is expected to provide a national platform for young Nigerians and security stakeholders to exchange ideas, promote peaceful coexistence and develop practical approaches to youth participation in national development and community security.
