The Centre for Gender Studies (CGS), Bayero University Kano (BUK), in collaboration with the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, has organized a mentorship and interactive session aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and democratic participation among female students.
The programme, tagged Inclusive Democracy and Empowerment Network for Active Youth in Nigeria (INCLUDE NAIJA), attracted mentees, mentors, members of the university community, and other stakeholders committed to youth and women’s empowerment.
Speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies, Bayero University Kano, Dr. Safiya Ahmad Nuhu, described the initiative as a leadership mentorship programme designed to enhance the competencies, confidence, and capacity of young female university students in leadership, governance, and politics.
According to her, the programme seeks to bridge the gap in female students’ participation in student activism, research, governance, and other spheres of influence within and beyond the university environment.
“This programme is aimed at building competencies, skills, and confidence among young women. Sustainable development can only be achieved when no one is left behind, and women’s voices are critical in leadership, governance, entrepreneurship, and politics,” she said.
Dr. Safiya explained that INCLUDE NAIJA is a three-year programme supported by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation and funded by the European Union. The initiative commenced in 2025 and is expected to conclude in 2027.
She noted that students are selected annually at BUK, with participants from previous cohorts remaining actively engaged through a growing network of youth leaders and advocates.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation in Nigeria, Angela Oda, said the foundation is the lead partner in the INCLUDE NAIJA project, alongside Social Action and We The People, both civil society organizations.
She explained that the project seeks to promote the fundamental human rights of Nigerian youths while enhancing their participation in democratic and national development processes.
Oda disclosed that the foundation currently works with four universities, including Bayero University Kano, the University of Abuja, Baze University, Abuja, and Nasarawa State University through their respective gender and political science centres.
“We organize capacity-building workshops on democracy and active youth participation, as well as mentorship programmes for female students. Each year, we train 24 students in each university and connect them with accomplished women leaders who serve as mentors and role models,”
She stressed the need to address the leadership gap facing women, noting that cultural and societal norms often discourage girls from actively participating in politics and public affairs.
A mentor at the programme and Director-General of the Kano State Social Protection Agency, Hajiya Fatima Abdullahi, encouraged female students to embrace leadership opportunities and participate actively in governance and politics.
“We want to build confidence in these young women and show them that leadership opportunities are available. Success comes through commitment, engagement, and self-belief,” she stated.
She added that greater female participation in politics and governance would help ensure that women occupy leadership positions and contribute meaningfully to societal development.
Another mentor and former member of the House of Representatives who represented Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, Hon. Azumi Namadi Bebeji, urged young women to remain focused, uphold integrity, and take advantage of opportunities for personal development.
She also encouraged them to actively engage in public service and politics, despite the challenges and barriers women often face in seeking and attaining elective positions.
A mentee and Vice President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Bayero University Kano, Onono Onemisi-Arafat, described the programme as highly inspiring.
She said the achievements of the invited mentors demonstrated that women have significant roles to play in nation-building and leadership.
“In the future, I hope to see myself in the National Assembly as a senator. Programmes like this motivate us to believe in our abilities and work towards achieving our goals,” she said.
The mentorship session formed part of ongoing efforts under the INCLUDE NAIJA project to nurture a new generation of confident, capable, and active young women leaders committed to democratic governance and sustainable development in Nigeria.