The Bayelsa Book of Stories is a compelling collection of 42 real-life transformation stories from young people in Bayelsa State who participated in the Youths Can Lead project, a leadership and civic participation initiative implemented by Centre LSD and funded by the Ford Foundation.

The stories capture the shift from political apathy to civic action, from unemployment to entrepreneurship, and from silence to advocacy. Over two years, the project trained 88 youths (45 males and 43 females), empowering them with the skills and confidence to engage in electoral politics, start businesses, lead community development, and demand good governance.

Notably, the programme saw:

• A significant rise in youth candidacy, with 27 trainees contesting the 2019 general elections—18% of whom won.
• The establishment of 50 youth-owned businesses and NGOs across diverse sectors.
• Increased youth participation in political parties and governance structures, including appointments to state and local government positions.
• The emergence of young changemakers leading community sensitisation, policy advocacy, and peacebuilding initiatives.

Each story, ranging from a young woman launching a political movement in a patriarchal community, to a youth reviving voter participation in a disenfranchised ward, illustrates how strategic investment in youth leadership can ignite social transformation from the grassroots.