TheCable

The national assembly is reportedly working on a bill seeking to reserve 30 percent of its seats for youths. 

Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy senate president, disclosed this on Friday at a symposium to mark the 46th birthday of Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi state.

Omo-Agege said the proposed legislation will also set aside 40 percent of the seats at state houses of assembly for the youths.

He added that it aims to encourage youth participation in politics and governance to curtail criminal activities in the country.

“If youths are given such opportunity, they will not have the time to participate in protests when they will be seated at executive council meetings,” he said.

Checks by TheCable showed that the federal government, in the revised national youth policy launched in 2019, specified 15 and 29 years as the lower and upper age limits for youths in the country.

It is not immediately clear if the age bracket is what the bill proposes but Yomi Odunuga, Omo-Agege’s spokesperson, has been contacted for comment.

In April, the house of representatives voted in favour of a bill that targets increased women participation in politics.

The bill seeks to establish an additional 37 seats at the senate and 74 at the lower chamber exclusively for women.