We work to give young Nigerians, in and out of education and employment, a voice in the running of their own lives, an opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity, create sustainable networks for change and build strong and lasting relationships with counterparts in the UK.

The “Youth Leadership Forum: Accessing our Rights”, took place in Kaduna in January 2004. From this, we developed a networking structure, mapped the initiatives being carried out by active youth groups and individuals and began a capacity building and support programme that involves exchanges with young people in the UK.

In November 2004, representatives of those active groups started work on a series of seven handbooks entitled “How to take part in youth development work”. These were developed in dialogue between Nigerian and British youth activists and co-facilitated by a Nigerian youth leader and a British representative of the National Youth Agency. These are being in 2005 piloted with school students and National Youth Service Corps members.

Further dialogue will take place when a young Nigerian graphic designer visits Newcastle to work on a project under the supervision of UK college tutors to design the graphics needed for the handbooks. The UK designers will visit Nigeria at the time of the launch in late 2005 to take part in activities that will promote the use of the manuals.

For further information write to info.kano@ng.britishcouncil.org