The Anambra State House of Assembly has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports to ensure strict compliance with the statutory youth age bracket in all youth development programmes across the state.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Dunukofia Constituency, Barrister Chuks Azotani.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Azotani noted that the National Youth Policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, defines youths as persons between the ages of 18 and 35, making that age range, the benchmark for eligibility in youth-focused programmes, leadership development initiatives, appointments, empowerment schemes and related activities.
He explained that youth development programmes are designed to empower, mentor and create opportunities for young people within the prescribed age bracket, promoting inclusive governance, economic empowerment, innovation, leadership development and sustainable socio-economic growth.
Azotani observed that several states, including Lagos, Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti and Oyo, have aligned their youth development initiatives with the National Youth Policy by restricting youth appointments, empowerment schemes, leadership programmes, youth councils and similar interventions to persons aged 18 to 35.
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as the growing trend of persons above the statutory age limit, participating in or benefiting from programmes specifically established for youths.
According to Azotani, the practice deprives eligible youths of opportunities intended for their personal growth, leadership development, entrepreneurship and economic advancement, while also undermining public confidence, transparency, accountability and fairness in youth-focused government programmes.
Azotani stressed that strict compliance with the statutory age bracket would preserve the credibility of youth development programmes, ensure equitable access to opportunities, promote generational leadership succession and guarantee that public resources allocated for youth development benefit only those who legally qualify as youths.
Supporting the motion, Nonso Atuchukwu (Nnewi South one), Ifeoma Azikiwe (Onitsha North one), Anayo Okpalaeke (Aguata one), Nobel Igwe (Ogbaru one), Emma Nwafor (Orumba South), Jude Akpua (Njikoka 2), Augustine Ike (Nnewi North), Golden Iloh (Ihiala 2), Ikenna Ofodeme (Ekwusigo) and Jude Ngobili (Ihiala one) described it as unfortunate, that opportunities meant for young people, including the One Youth, Two Skills programme, are sometimes taken by individuals above 35 years.
The lawmakers recommended the digitalisation of beneficiary selection processes, to prevent age falsification and called for age falsification to be treated as an offence to ensure that genuine beneficiaries are not denied opportunities.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the plenary, commended Azotani for sponsoring the motion and praised members for their support.
Rt. Hon. Udeze urged lawmakers to continue encouraging young people in their constituencies to participate actively in government youth development initiatives.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the House adjourned plenary to Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
