- Hayatu-Deen expressed concern over rising unemployment and the growing number of out-of-school children
- He urged young Nigerians to prioritise leaders committed to job creation
- He maintained that the problem lies in leadership that failed to plan for the future
Presidential hopeful of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has called on Nigerian youths to use the 2027 elections as an opportunity to demand responsible leadership capable of tackling unemployment, insecurity and the country’s economic challenges.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Hayatu-Deen made the appeal on Thursday during a Youth Townhall held at Novare Mall in Abuja, where he criticised years of poor governance, weak economic management and inadequate investment in young people.
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The economist and former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, who recently completed the ADC presidential screening ahead of the party’s May 25 primary election, said millions of young Nigerians had been denied opportunities due to leadership failures.
Addressing participants at the event, he argued that the nation’s youth were paying the price for what he described as recycled politics and ineffective leadership.
He urged young Nigerians to prioritise leaders committed to job creation, security and economic stability in the next election cycle.
According to him, with nearly two-thirds of Nigeria’s population below the age of 35, the country’s future is directly tied to the wellbeing and opportunities available to its youth.
Hayatu-Deen expressed concern over rising unemployment and the growing number of out-of-school children, insisting that Nigeria’s challenges were caused more by governance failures than by a lack of talent among young people.
He maintained that the problem lies in leadership that failed to plan for the future, invest in people and address widespread hardship.
The presidential aspirant also challenged the ADC to present a strong alternative ahead of the 2027 election, saying the party must prove it is prepared to offer Nigerians credible leadership capable of confronting the nation’s realities.
Outlining parts of his agenda, Hayatu-Deen proposed a public work programme that would guarantee eligible low-income Nigerians at least 100 days of employment annually.
He also suggested tax incentives for businesses employing workers verified through the National Identification Number system from vulnerable communities.
He argued that employment should be viewed not only as an economic policy but also as a security strategy, noting that access to jobs could reduce recruitment into crime and violent activities.
Speaking on insecurity, Hayatu-Deen revealed that his sister was once abducted and held captive for three years, saying the experience shaped his commitment to addressing kidnapping and violent crime.
He pledged that, if elected, his administration would classify bandit groups and kidnapping networks as terrorist organisations, intensify action against their sponsors and strengthen regional security cooperation.
According to him, such measures would be among his immediate priorities in office.
Hayatu-Deen further described the ADC as a party built around citizens’ welfare and warned against recycling old political alliances and structures.
He also presented himself as a fresh alternative, stressing that he was not tied to political godfathers or internal power struggles.
The former banker concluded by urging youths and ADC delegates to mobilise ahead of the party primary and support candidates focused on jobs, security and effective governance
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