The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu has challenged Nigerian youths to channel their energy, creativity and influence towards building communities rather than allowing themselves to be manipulated into violence and destruction.
Disu gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, held under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” with the campaign, “MY FUTURE IS GREATER THAN POLITICAL AND DIGITAL THUGGERY.”
The IGP said the three-day initiative provided an opportunity for the Police and young Nigerians to engage in meaningful discussions on security, responsible citizenship and the critical role of youths in shaping the future of Nigeria.
He said activities including panel sessions, a walkathon and tree-planting exercise demonstrated that youth engagement must go beyond speeches and produce concrete actions that promote peace, responsibility and national development.
“Through our panel sessions, the walkathon, the tree-planting exercise, and the many other activities, we have demonstrated that youth engagement must go beyond speeches. It must create understanding, responsibility and action,” Disu said.
The Police Chief urged young Nigerians to recognise their capacity to influence society positively, warning against allowing political actors or other interests to exploit them for violence.
“You can be the generation that is manipulated into destroying communities, or the generation that builds them. You can spread hatred online, or use technology to educate, innovate and connect,” he said.
Disu said the choice before Nigerian youths was ultimately about the kind of country they wanted to leave for future generations, stressing that their actions today would have lasting consequences.
“The choice is yours. And history will judge your generation not by what you inherited, but by what you did with it,” he added.
He particularly cautioned youths against political and digital thuggery as the country approaches the 2027 General Elections, urging them not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence.
“As we move towards the 2027 General Elections, we must ensure that Nigerian youths are never used as instruments of political violence. Do not allow anyone to use your today to destroy your tomorrow,” the IGP warned.
Disu also called for stronger collaboration between the Police and young Nigerians, noting that security could not be achieved by law enforcement agencies alone.
“The Police must listen to the youths, and the youths must work with the Police. Security is not the responsibility of the Police alone. It is a shared responsibility,” he said.
He recognised Youth Ambassadors Ann Nwawhodoh and Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, urging them to serve as a bridge between the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian youths by promoting dialogue, understanding and trust.
The IGP further urged recipients of the Youth Honours and Awards introduced during the initiative to see their recognition as a call to greater service and leadership.
“Remember that recognition is a responsibility. Continue to lead, innovate, and serve, and use your success to open doors for others,” he told the awardees.
Disu described the Abuja Youth Declaration on Peace, Responsible Citizenship and Democratic Participation as a key outcome of the initiative, urging youths to ensure that its principles translated into everyday conduct.
“This Declaration must not become another document signed today and forgotten tomorrow. It must become a living commitment: to choose peace over violence, dialogue over conflict, truth over misinformation, and nation-building over destruction,” he said.
He charged participants to take the declaration to their schools, communities, organisations and digital spaces, while promoting responsible citizenship and peaceful democratic participation.
The IGP disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force would sustain the initiative beyond Abuja by taking the conversation to schools, tertiary institutions, NYS formations and youth organisations across the country.
He said the Force would continue to promote preventive policing, responsible digital citizenship, peaceful democratic participation and stronger Police-youth partnerships.
Disu appreciated development and international partners, civil society organisations, government institutions, private-sector sponsors, facilitators, speakers, volunteers and members of the organising committee for their contributions to the initiative.
He also commended the officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force who worked to ensure the success of the programme, as well as the young participants for their active engagement.
“When you are tempted to believe that one person cannot make a difference, remember that every great change begins with a choice,” Disu said.
He subsequently declared the International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force closed, charging Nigerian youths to choose peace, responsibility and nation-building over political and digital thuggery.
