Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa Joins African Youth Summit in Morocco

The Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Vinod Obasa, has attended the Summit of Young Local Elected Officials in Africa organised by United Cities and Local Governments of Africa in Dakhla.

The summit brought together young and emerging local government leaders from across the continent to exchange ideas, share experiences and discuss innovative approaches to governance at the grassroots level.

Discussions at the forum focused on strengthening local governance structures, expanding youth participation in leadership, and advancing sustainable development within African communities. Delegates were drawn from several countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Morocco and Chad.

On the sidelines of the event, Obasa stressed the need for governance models driven by young leaders, arguing that Africa’s development prospects are closely tied to the quality of leadership emerging at the local level. He noted that participatory governance, supported by data and measurable outcomes, is essential for delivering tangible benefits to citizens.

He further called on local governments to move beyond routine administrative functions and embrace roles as centres of innovation, policy development and socio-economic transformation. According to him, transparency, technology and accountability must form the foundation of modern grassroots administration.

The chairman also highlighted the importance of collaboration among African local governments, describing cross-border partnerships as vital for addressing shared challenges such as rapid urbanisation, youth unemployment and environmental sustainability. He added that no community can achieve meaningful development in isolation.

On youth inclusion, Obasa said young people must be actively involved in present-day governance rather than being viewed solely as future leaders. He advocated deliberate policies that create clear pathways for youth participation, skills development and meaningful input into policy-making processes.

He also underscored the need for African local governments to align with global development trends, particularly in digital transformation, revenue systems and sustainable urban planning, in order to position communities for long-term growth.

The summit featured interactive sessions on leadership development, policy innovation and intergovernmental cooperation aimed at tackling socio-economic challenges common across the continent.

Following the sessions, Obasa was seen in discussion with El Khattat Yanja, the Mayor of Dakhla and President of Young Local Elected Officials in Africa, a moment observers described as symbolic of growing unity and cooperation among African local leaders.

Observers note that the participation of Nigerian local government officials in such continental forums reflects the increasing relevance of grassroots leaders in shaping governance conversations beyond national boundaries. The engagement is expected to strengthen international partnerships and expose participants to global best practices in governance, innovation and youth empowerment.