Akure, Ondo State – Youth leaders and health advocates in Ondo State are calling for a more inclusive approach and stronger collaboration with government at all levels to drive significant transformation within Nigeria's health sector. They are urging authorities to deepen engagement with youth organizations in policy formulation and implementation, emphasizing that young people must be actively involved in shaping health governance. This call to action was made in Akure on Saturday during the final phase of the NextGen Health Governance Project, organized by the Get Healthy Africa Initiative with support from the Nigeria Youth Future Fund.

According to Mr. Faysol Oluwakemi, Project Lead and Executive Director of GHAI, the low participation of youth in health decision-making has hindered progress in the sector. He explained that the initiative was designed to equip young individuals with knowledge about health governance and encourage their meaningful contribution to healthcare delivery. "We realized that youth involvement in health policies and decision-making is very low, largely because many young people are unaware of their rights, their impact, and the role they can play in the health system," Oluwakemi stated. He stressed that the energy, innovation, and technological capabilities of young people should be channeled towards strengthening the health system. "The energy, innovation, and technological know-how that we have in youths should be channelled towards impacting the health system positively. We must be part of decision-making and contribute ideas that will strengthen the sector," he added. Oluwakemi also called on both state and federal governments to work more closely with youth groups, highlighting inclusive governance as key to solving systemic challenges. He emphasized that decisions about community health needs should not be made without engaging the community itself, particularly at the primary healthcare level. Youth inclusion, he believes, can make a significant difference.

Catherine Ogbunjebi, representing the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, described the initiative as timely and impactful, encouraging youths to take more proactive roles in their communities. She remarked, "This initiative is inspiring and shows youths how they can positively impact the health system, even within their careers. We look forward to having more of such engagements." Ogbunjebi also urged young people to be agents of change, stating, "We need to be the change we keep talking about. Instead of just complaining on social media, youths should engage at the grassroots level, especially through community development structures, to drive real change".

Joshua, another participant, encouraged young people to engage more in digital health innovation and advocacy rather than solely complaining about government policies. "Youth should not only criticize government policies but also come forward with practical solutions, especially through digital health innovation and advocacy," he advised.

The Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, has also previously urged Nigerian youths to embrace innovation and actively participate in governance, emphasizing that transparency, accountability, and youth inclusion are critical for sustaining democracy. He highlighted that Ondo State has initiated programs such as innovation hubs and tech incubators to support young people.

This call for youth inclusion comes amidst ongoing discussions about health sector reforms in Ondo State. Reports indicate the state has been working on various initiatives, including the "One Health Plan" and the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII), aimed at strengthening the health system and improving service delivery. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to rural healthcare, and a shortage of skilled health workers persist. The Ondo State Strategic Health Development Plan has also previously outlined the importance of human resources for health, quality improvement, and management in its reform process. Ensuring the active participation of young people in these reform efforts is seen as a crucial step towards addressing these challenges and building a more robust and responsive healthcare system.