This transformative Book of Stories chronicles the inspiring impact of the Youths Can Lead project in Edo State, a Centre LSD initiative supported by the Ford Foundation. Designed to empower young people with the skills and confidence to participate in politics and governance, the project trained 74 youths—51 males and 23 females—from all three senatorial districts of the state.
The publication features over 50 real-life testimonies of young Nigerians who transitioned from political passivity and societal marginalization into influential roles as elected officials, political appointees, party executives, social entrepreneurs, and civil society leaders. Their stories reveal profound personal growth, community transformation, and political participation—many contesting elections for the first time, winning positions, or using their newfound skills to launch ventures and advocacy campaigns.
Beyond political achievements, the publication also showcases youth-led initiatives in education, women’s rights, entrepreneurship, and anti-violence advocacy, proving that youths can catalyze change from the ground up when given opportunity and training.
This book is a vital contribution to the discourse on youth leadership and inclusive governance in Nigeria. It is both a documentation of success and a call to action for stakeholders to invest in young people, not as a promise for tomorrow, but as today's leaders.