Youth development suffers despite policies, due to weak implementation — Ajulo

Michael Olumide

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), has said Nigeria’s challenges in youth development are not caused by a lack of laws or policies, but by a persistent failure in implementation and institutional accountability.

Ajulo made this known during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he spoke extensively on governance, youth inclusion, education, and systemic inefficiencies in public service delivery.

He argued that Nigeria already has a wide range of legal and policy frameworks designed to empower young people, but the gap between policy formulation and execution continues to undermine their impact.

According to him, the real challenge lies in the institutions and individuals responsible for translating government intentions into real-life outcomes.

“It is about implementation and political will. But even when political will exists, who is driving the implementation? That is where the problem lies,” he said.

Ajulo noted that as an Attorney General, he could initiate policies, but the success of such policies ultimately depends on other actors within the system tasked with enforcement and execution.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria stressed that Nigeria is not deficient in laws but rather overwhelmed by them, with the core challenge being proper application.

“Nigeria, if we are being honest, is not lacking in laws. We are overburdened with several laws and regulations. The issue is the rightful application and utilization of these laws,” he said.

He attributed the failure of implementation to institutional weaknesses and personal interests that often override national priorities, describing it as a systemic problem that cuts across sectors.

Ajulo warned that until public officials prioritize collective good over personal gain, development efforts would continue to suffer setbacks.

“Some of us are selfish, operating within personal interests instead of the rule of law, which requires putting sentiment aside and doing what is right for society,” he added.

Speaking on youth inclusion, Ajulo said Nigeria already has policies that promote youth participation in employment and governance, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

He cited recruitment processes across government institutions, noting that although age limits and youth-friendly guidelines exist on paper, reality often contradicts these provisions.

“In recruitment adverts, everything is pro-youth. But when you go into the system, you still find people far above retirement age in service,” he said.

Ajulo expressed concern over practices such as age falsification and prolonged retention in public service, warning that such actions deny opportunities to younger Nigerians and worsen unemployment.

Reinforcing his advocacy for youth development, the Ondo AG described young people as the foundation of national progress and innovation.

He said no society can truly develop without prioritising its youth population.
“If you want to understand any society, look at its youth. Once you get it right with them, you are solving most of your national problems,” he said.

Ajulo added that meaningful engagement, empowerment, and inclusion of young people remain essential for sustainable development.

Ajulo also urged young Nigerians to take more active roles in politics, stressing that their numerical strength should translate into leadership representation.

He noted that while youths constitute the majority of voters, they remain underrepresented in elective and appointive positions due to weak mobilisation and participation strategies.

“It is your game, your business. Power is not served a la carte; you have to step forward and take it within the law,” he said.

The Attorney General criticised Nigeria’s overemphasis on academic certificates, arguing that competence and practical skills are more important in today’s world.

He said many successful individuals are not necessarily those with the highest academic qualifications, but those who have developed practical abilities and emotional intelligence.

Ajulo called for a major overhaul of the education system, proposing a curriculum that prioritises entrepreneurship and practical training over theory.

“If I have my way, education should be 80 percent practical and entrepreneurial, and 20 percent theory,” he said.

Ajulo also praised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership under Afam Osigwe for introducing a mentorship framework for young lawyers.

He described the initiative as a historic step aimed at bridging the gap between legal education and professional practice.

According to him, young professionals often enter the workforce without adequate exposure to the realities of practice, making mentorship essential for career development.

On reforms in the Ondo State justice system, Ajulo said ongoing changes are largely youth-focused, as young people constitute the majority of those interacting with the justice sector.

He highlighted the increase in the number of judges from 24 to 35 as the first such reform since the state’s creation in 1976.

He also noted the automation of court processes and the introduction of juvenile justice reforms aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility.

Additionally, he revealed that over 270 young lawyers were engaged as volunteer aides within the justice system to promote participation and capacity building.

Ajulo concluded that Nigeria’s development challenges will persist unless the country addresses its long-standing implementation gap.

“You may have the best policies and intentions, but without effective execution, nothing will change,” he said.

He maintained that unlocking Nigeria’s potential depends on properly harnessing the energy, creativity, and population strength of its youth.

“If we get implementation right and channel youth energy productively, we will move the country forward meaningfully,” he added.