The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said the City Boy Movement was established to strengthen the relationship between political leadership and young Nigerians, while creating more opportunities for youth participation in governance and national development.
Olawande made the remarks on Friday in Benin City during the South-South regional tour of the movement, an event attended by political stakeholders, youth leaders, and supporters from across the region.
The delegation was led by its Grand Patron, Seyi Tinubu, alongside senior officials of the organisation, including the Director-General of the movement, Francis Oluwatosin Shola.
Speaking at the gathering, the minister said the movement was conceived as a platform to connect young Nigerians with those in positions of authority, while ensuring that the voices, concerns, and aspirations of the youth population are adequately represented in decision-making processes.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population remains one of the country’s greatest assets, and deliberate efforts must be made to strategically position young people in governance, leadership, entrepreneurship, and nation-building initiatives.
He noted that the South-South regional tour, which commenced in Edo State, was intended to serve as a rallying point to mobilise, inspire, and energise young people across the region.
“The City Boy Movement is designed to bridge the gap between leadership and young Nigerians. The South-South tour, beginning in Edo State, serves as a rallying point to mobilise, inspire, and awaken young people across the region,” the minister stated.
Olawande further stressed the need for young people to move beyond political spectatorship and become active contributors to governance, policy development, and economic transformation.
He said youth engagement should not be limited to election periods, but must become a sustained process where young Nigerians are empowered with the knowledge, resources, and platforms needed to influence the future of the country.
The minister also commended the organisers of the movement for creating a structure capable of harnessing youthful energy in a positive direction and aligning it with national development goals.
Also speaking at the event, Monday Okpebholo used the occasion to reaffirm the commitment of the state government to youth-focused political mobilisation and inclusive governance.
The governor welcomed members of the delegation and praised their decision to begin the South-South regional tour in Edo State, describing it as a sign of the state’s growing importance in national political engagement.
“You have not made a mistake coming to the South-South and choosing to come first to Edo State. I am happy to receive you,” the governor said.
He added that the organisational structure and discipline displayed by the movement reflected a new style of youth participation in politics, one that is coordinated, purposeful, and leadership-driven.
“What I see here is a movement that is coordinated, organised, and driven by leadership. That alone gives me confidence that Nigeria’s future is in safe hands,” he added.
Okpebholo said the emergence of structured youth movements such as the City Boy Movement signals a shift away from passive political involvement toward strategic participation that can produce measurable impact in governance and public service.
He encouraged more young people to embrace leadership values, civic responsibility, and constructive political engagement rather than apathy or division.
The governor also linked the movement’s objectives to the broader national agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the administration’s economic reform initiatives.
He commended President Tinubu for what he described as bold and decisive leadership, especially the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said previous administrations had been unable to implement.
“What others could not do, Asiwaju has done. Without chaos, he took that bold decision, and today the country is already positioning itself for greater economic stability and growth,” the governor stated.
The City Boy Movement has grown into a youth-driven political advocacy platform supporting the Renewed Hope agenda of the Tinubu administration.
The group focuses on grassroots mobilisation, youth empowerment, civic participation, and public enlightenment on government policies and programmes.
Over time, the movement has organised a series of outreach initiatives across the country, including student engagement programmes, campus visits, food support drives, community outreach events, and regional tours designed to connect with young Nigerians at the grassroots level.
Observers say the South-South tour is part of broader efforts to consolidate youth support in the region while encouraging young people to take a more active role in shaping Nigeria’s political future.
The South-South geopolitical zone remains a critical region in Nigeria’s national politics due to its economic significance, youthful population, and strategic electoral value.
Political analysts note that increased youth mobilisation in the zone could influence future political participation, policy advocacy, and governance outcomes.
For many participants at the Benin event, the gathering was more than a political rally. It was seen as an opportunity to discuss leadership, youth inclusion, economic opportunities, and the future direction of governance in Nigeria.
Several youth leaders present expressed optimism that platforms such as the City Boy Movement could help create stronger engagement between elected leaders and the younger generation.
They also called for practical programmes that would address unemployment, education, skills development, entrepreneurship financing, and access to leadership opportunities.
As the movement continues its South-South tour, organisers say more engagements will be held in other states across the region, with the aim of building a network of young Nigerians committed to leadership, national unity, and sustainable development.
With youth participation increasingly shaping the political landscape, stakeholders at the Benin gathering maintained that the future of Nigeria depends largely on how effectively young people are empowered, organised, and integrated into governance.
