In fulfillment of his Civic Engagement Activity, Yasir Ibrahim, a Fellow of the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship (EPLF) 2025 Cohort, through the Young Policy Shapers Program, organized a one day civic education and leadership training for young students of GSSS Batagarawa and GSSS Ajiwa in Katsina State. The program, held on 18th September 2025, brought together 160 participants, comprising 80 males and 80 females, between the ages of 14 and 24, to learn about public policy, governance, and civic responsibility. The sessions, which ran from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., were designed to build young people’s understanding of policy formulation and empower them to take active roles in shaping the future of their communities.
The Young Policy Shapers Program aimed to awaken participants’ interest in public policy and governance while equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to engage meaningfully in decision making processes. The training adopted an interactive learning approach that included brainstorming exercises, question and answer sessions, role playing, group discussions, and case study analysis. Participants were first given a pretest to assess their existing knowledge of public policy and later a posttest to evaluate the level of improvement after the sessions.
Key Outcomes
The program produced significant outcomes that reflected both learning and empowerment. A total of 160 participants demonstrated a clearer understanding of public policy and their potential role in influencing reforms. They were introduced to core policy skills such as evidence collection, policy formulation, and advocacy, helping them appreciate how their lived experiences can shape effective policy recommendations.
By the end of the training, participants worked in teams to draft policy proposals addressing issues affecting their communities. These exercises encouraged creativity, teamwork, and problem solving, allowing the students to apply their newly acquired knowledge in practical ways. The day’s activities also improved their confidence, communication, and critical thinking abilities, key attributes needed for civic leadership.
Participants’ feedback further highlighted the success of the program. Aisha Sulaiman described it as “more than my expectations” and promised to recommend it to friends and colleagues. Abdulazeez Rabiu noted that “Yasir made the content both easy to absorb and relatable,” while Asiya Tijjani appreciated that “all the sessions were comprehensive, interesting, and inspiring.”
Lessons Learnt
The implementation of the project revealed several valuable lessons. One of the key insights was the need for adequate teaching aids and facilities to enhance learning delivery. The absence of projectors, visual materials, and other instructional tools limited the full impact of the sessions. Yasir also observed that language barriers posed a challenge for some participants, as the sessions were conducted entirely in English.
Another lesson was the importance of accessible training spaces. The lack of a well equipped facility for practical sessions affected how participants engaged with certain topics. Additionally, unpredictable weather conditions, especially the heavy rains experienced in August, led to multiple rescheduling efforts before the event could finally take place. Despite these setbacks, the commitment of the organizing team and the enthusiasm of the participants ensured that the program achieved its intended goals.
These challenges reinforced the need for better planning, resource mobilization, and context specific delivery when working with diverse groups of learners. They also highlighted the power of persistence and adaptability in community driven projects.
Next Steps
Building on the success of the Young Policy Shapers Program, Yasir recommended several steps to sustain and expand the initiative’s impact. He proposed that future editions of the training should be extended into a three week workshop that combines classroom learning with practical activities. This would allow for deeper understanding and hands on application of public policy concepts.
He also suggested that the EPLF Program Office conduct follow up visits to monitor how trainees are applying the knowledge gained and to provide additional guidance. Furthermore, Yasir recommended that future sessions include refreshments to enhance participant engagement and that Fellows be provided with branded materials such as T-shirts, caps, and banners to promote visibility and identity.
To multiply the program’s impact, Yasir proposed the introduction of mini grants that would enable trained participants to replicate the program in their respective schools or communities. He emphasized the importance of equipping trainees with adequate learning tools and resources to support their continued learning and civic engagement efforts.
Acknowledgement
The successful execution of the program was made possible through the collaborative effort of the project team led by Project Director Abdullahi Sulaiman, with support from Managers Ibrahim Abdullahi and Mubarak Yakubu, and Volunteers Lawal Usman, Abubakar Sani, and Hamza Yunusa. Their dedication ensured that the objectives of the Young Policy Shapers Program were fully realized, leaving a lasting impression on all participants.
The Young Policy Shapers Program stands as a powerful demonstration of how civic engagement can inspire the next generation of leaders. Through this initiative, Yasir Ibrahim has not only fulfilled his civic engagement requirement under the EPLFellowship but has also contributed to nurturing a generation of young Nigerians who are better informed, more confident, and ready to participate actively in shaping policies that affect their future.
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