The Oyo State Police Command is to launch a campaign against political and digital thuggery as part of activities marking International Youth Day 2026.

The campaign, which begins in Ibadan on Friday, will focus on political violence and the misuse of digital platforms for incitement, harassment, cyberbullying, misinformation and disinformation, according to the command.

The police will also hold a youth-police dialogue on Saturday to discuss security, responsible use of digital platforms, crime prevention and young people’s participation in democratic processes.

The command announced the plans in a statement signed by its spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on Thursday.

Why the campaign matters

The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to deal with concerns over election-related violence and the use of social media to influence political opinion.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) identified issues including inter-party conflict, hate speech and other security threats as potential triggers of violence around the 2023 general election. Its review also said voter education efforts sought to discourage practices such as vote buying and thuggery.

Human Rights Watch, citing the Centre for Democracy and Development, reported that 109 election-related deaths were recorded in Nigeria in the build-up to the 2023 general elections. It also documented cases in which voters faced violence from people described as political thugs.

The online environment has created another challenge.

Freedom House reported that misinformation and disinformation were used by powerful political actors around the 2023 presidential election. At the same time, social media gave young Nigerians a platform to organise and participate in political campaigns.

That distinction matters. Digital platforms can increase young people’s political participation, but the same platforms can also be used to spread false information or target opponents.

What the Oyo police plan

The command said its programme will begin with a police walkathon on Friday, 21 August.

It said the walk is intended to raise awareness about International Youth Day and encourage stronger cooperation between young people and the police.

The main event will take place at 10:00am on Saturday at the Usman Alkali Baba Conference Hall at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.

The command said the launch of the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery will be followed by a Police-Youth Dialogue.

According to the police, the dialogue will provide an opportunity for young people and officers to discuss security concerns and develop practical approaches to emerging threats.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, urged young people, parents, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations and other security stakeholders to participate.

He said:

“The Commissioner notes that while young people may come from different backgrounds and face different realities, their shared aspirations for peace, security and a prosperous future provide a strong foundation for partnership with the Police and other stakeholders.”

The command also said it wants young people to reject violence, political thuggery, digital abuse and other forms of criminality.

UN theme puts youth participation at the centre

International Youth Day is observed on 12 August each year. The 2026 theme is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

The United Nations says the theme recognises that young people live in different social and economic circumstances but share aspirations for dignity, opportunity, meaningful participation, decent work, education and a sustainable future.

The UN has also stressed the importance of treating young people as partners in decision-making rather than simply as recipients of government programmes.

That creates an important test for initiatives such as the Oyo police campaign: whether young people will have a meaningful role in shaping security responses, rather than simply being told what behaviour to avoid.

Digital rights and law enforcement

Nigeria already has laws dealing with cybercrime.

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) (Amendment) Act 2024 amended the country’s 2015 cybercrime law and provides the legal framework for addressing cybercrime and strengthening cyber-security institutions.

But the use of cybercrime laws to address online abuse also requires care.

Political expression, criticism of public officials and legitimate online campaigning are not the same as harassment, threats or criminal activity. Any enforcement campaign will therefore need to distinguish between unlawful conduct and protected civic participation.

This is particularly important because young Nigerians have used social media not only for political campaigning but also to organise and participate in public affairs.

What happens next?

The immediate next step is the walkathon on Friday, followed by the campaign launch and youth dialogue on Saturday.

The police have not stated how the campaign will be measured, how many young people it intends to reach or what specific activities will follow the launch.

Those details will matter in assessing whether the initiative produces a sustained change in political violence, online abuse and police-youth relations.

For residents seeking emergency assistance, the command listed the Oyo State Call Response Centre’s toll-free number as 615. Its control-room numbers are 08081768614 and 07055495413.

The broader question will be whether the campaign can turn a one-off youth engagement into sustained cooperation between young people, law-enforcement agencies and other institutions responsible for Nigeria’s democratic and digital environment.

Young people should move beyond talking about the future they want and take responsible action to help build it, The Press Society (TPS) has said.

In a message ahead of International Youth Day on Wednesday, 12 August, the society urged young Nigerians and other young people to become active participants in addressing social challenges rather than remaining spectators.

The 2026 International Youth Day theme is “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, reflecting the idea that young people in different parts of the world may face different circumstances but share many of the same hopes, including access to education, opportunity, dignity and a better future.

TPS said those aspirations would have little impact without responsible action.

“Whether you are a journalist, student, entrepreneur, professional, activist or community leader, your voice matters—and so does how you use it,” the society said.

Why the message matters

International Youth Day is observed every 12 August. The United Nations established the observance to draw attention to issues affecting young people and to recognise them as partners in development and society.

The UN says there are about 1.2 billion people aged 15 to 24 worldwide, making young people a significant part of the global population and a major force in social and economic change.

For Nigeria, the issue is particularly significant because of the country’s youthful population. UNFPA estimates that people aged 10 to 24 accounted for 31.7% of Nigeria’s population in its country programme data, while 63% of the population was under 25.

That means decisions about education, employment, digital access, governance and civic participation will affect a large proportion of the population.

From aspirations to responsibility

TPS urged young people to stay informed, reject misinformation and promote truth and justice.

It also called for the ethical use of technology and artificial intelligence, arguing that young people should use their voices and digital platforms to create positive change in their communities.

The appeal comes as misinformation and rapidly developing technologies increasingly shape how people receive and share information.

The UN has also identified information and misinformation, inequality and disruptive technologies among the forces reshaping young people’s lives and choices.

But placing responsibility on young people also raises a wider question: how much change can individuals create when the conditions around them limit their choices?

The UN’s 2026 youth discussions have stressed that youth participation needs to be systematic and linked to actual policy outcomes, while young people’s well-being requires accessible services, opportunities and inclusive environments.

That suggests responsibility cannot rest entirely with young people. Governments and institutions also have a role in creating the conditions in which young people can turn ideas into meaningful outcomes.

Nigeria’s youth challenge

For many young Nigerians, aspirations for better education, decent work, economic opportunity and participation in public life intersect with broader challenges such as poverty, inequality and limited access to opportunities.

UNFPA has argued that young people need the freedom, opportunity and support to shape their lives and contribute to their communities.

This makes the 2026 theme more than a call for young people to be ambitious. It also raises questions about whether institutions are providing the education, jobs, digital infrastructure and avenues for participation needed to make those ambitions realistic.

TPS said young people should use their talents and platforms to contribute positively to society, describing responsible action as the bridge between aspiration and sustainable development.

The society said:

“Different contexts may shape our experiences, but our aspirations remain common. Let us turn those common aspirations into responsible action and become the generation that does not wait for change but responsibly creates it.”

What happens next?

The immediate challenge is whether calls for responsible action will translate into measurable activity.

For young people, that could include checking information before sharing it, participating in community initiatives, using technology ethically and engaging with decisions that affect their lives.

For governments and other institutions, the wider test is whether young people receive the opportunities and meaningful participation needed to act on those aspirations.

The UN’s recent youth forum made a similar point: the value of youth engagement should ultimately be judged by the action and policy outcomes that follow discussions.

As International Youth Day is marked on 12 August, the debate therefore goes beyond celebrating young people. It is also about whether shared aspirations can be matched by responsible action — and whether institutions will create enough space for that action to make a difference.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has announced plans to recruit 1,000 young people into the state’s Forest Guard programme as part of efforts to strengthen security and expand employment opportunities.

The governor made the announcement during a meeting with members of the Ondo State Youth Parliament at the Cocoa Conference Hall in Akure on Tuesday, where he also pledged additional appointments for young people in his administration and expressed support for the completion of the state’s Youth Policy Document.

The recruitment drive comes amid growing concerns over security challenges in parts of the country and increasing calls for governments to create more opportunities for young people.

Who Can Apply?

According to Governor Aiyedatiwa, the recruitment is part of a Federal Government-backed initiative aimed at improving security around forest reserves and vulnerable communities.

He said applicants must be below 39 years old.

“Prospective recruits must be below 39 years of age,” the governor said, explaining that older candidates may find it difficult to cope with the physical demands of the training and operational requirements.

The governor also sought to reassure potential recruits and their families about safety concerns.

He said those employed would be adequately protected and would not be exposed to unnecessary risks while carrying out their duties.

Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that since the creation of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, no operative had lost their life in active service.

While acknowledging that some personnel had suffered injuries in the line of duty, he said affected officers received quality medical treatment and support.

Security and Community Protection

The governor urged members of the Youth Parliament to recommend only responsible and trustworthy candidates for the recruitment exercise.

He warned that those recruited must not become threats to the communities they are expected to protect.

Addressing the youth lawmakers, Aiyedatiwa stressed the importance of community vigilance in tackling security challenges.

“Whenever you see something, say something,” he said.

Security experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of local intelligence gathering and community participation in addressing crime and insecurity, particularly in rural and forested areas.

More Opportunities for Young People

Beyond the planned recruitment, the governor promised to appoint more young people into positions of responsibility within his administration.

The announcement is likely to be welcomed by youth groups that have consistently called for greater representation in governance and decision-making processes.

Aiyedatiwa also approved the provision of a utility bus for the Ondo State Youth Parliament to support its activities.

In addition, he pledged government support for the completion of the Youth Policy Document currently being developed by the parliament.

The governor further assured members that he would receive representatives of the national body of the Youth Parliament during a proposed visit to the state.

Youth Leaders Welcome Governor’s Support

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Henry Omoyofunmi, praised the governor for what he described as a strong commitment to youth development.

He said the administration had created opportunities for young people through investments in human capital development and public-sector employment.

According to Omoyofunmi, individuals recruited through agencies such as the Hospitals Management Board and Primary Health Care services have already begun receiving appointment letters and resuming work.

He also assured the governor of continued support from youths across Ondo State’s 18 local government areas.

Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State Youth Parliament, Aliu Moshood Abiodun, described the governor as youth-friendly and pledged that members would continue promoting the administration’s achievements.

He appealed for support to complete the Youth Policy Document, describing it as critical to the parliament’s long-term objectives.

National Representative of the Youth Parliament from Ondo State, Blessing Ogunmolasuyi, also commended the governor for releasing funds that enabled delegates from the state to participate in activities of the Nigeria Youth Parliament in Abuja.

She said the funding improved Ondo State’s representation at the national level and strengthened the voice of young people from the state.

Why It Matters

Nigeria has one of the world’s youngest populations, with youth unemployment and underemployment remaining major concerns.

Analysts say programmes that combine job creation with community security initiatives can provide economic opportunities for young people while helping address local security challenges.

The proposed recruitment of 1,000 Forest Guards could therefore serve a dual purpose: boosting employment and strengthening grassroots security structures across Ondo State.

What Happens Next?

The Ondo State Government is expected to release further details on the recruitment process, eligibility requirements and application procedures in the coming weeks.

Youth groups will also be watching closely for progress on the governor’s promise to increase youth appointments and support the completion of the state’s Youth Policy Document.