The 5th Assembly of the Lagos State Youth Parliament on Friday convened the maiden edition of the Eko Youth Parliamentary Summit, calling on the state government to deepen attention to issues affecting young people across Lagos.
The summit, held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium within the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, brought together youth leaders, lawmakers and senior government officials to deliberate on youth participation in governance.
Delivering the keynote address, Sen. Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru urged young people to take full advantage of available platforms to actively engage in governance and contribute meaningfully to policy development.
He admonished youths against political apathy, stressing that they possess the ideas and energy required to drive development if properly guided in legislative principles and procedures.
“You cannot afford to remain passive. You have something to offer government,” he said, encouraging participants to move beyond social media engagement and embrace structured legislative participation. He noted that the Lagos State Government recognises youths not merely as leaders of tomorrow but as stakeholders who should be entrusted with leadership responsibilities today.
Senator Abiru emphasised that early exposure to legislative processes would equip young parliamentarians with the discipline and competence required for effective representation. According to him, lawmakers shoulder a generational responsibility, as policies enacted today shape the future of young people.
In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, described the summit as a strategic initiative of the ministry to groom future leaders through legislative training and structured civic engagement.
She said the programme was designed to prepare young people for constructive participation in governance and strengthen democratic culture at the grassroots.
Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda; the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu; Lagos APC Youth Leader, Dr. Seriki Murtala; and the Mayoress of Ikosi LCDA, Hon. Abolanle Samiat Bada, commended the Ministry of Youth and Social Development for the initiative. They urged participants to maximise the opportunity by deepening their understanding of legislative processes.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Speaker of the Lagos State Youth Parliament, Maria Itunuoluwa Soniregun, expressed appreciation to the state government for sustaining the legislative platform through the ministry. She assured that the Youth Parliament would utilise the opportunity to initiate bills and advocacy efforts aimed at addressing challenges confronting young people in the state.
The summit marks a significant step in institutionalising youth engagement in legislative affairs and reinforcing structured pathways for leadership development in Lagos State.
