Young leaders and health advocates in Ondo State have called for more inclusion in decisions about health matters. They want the government at all levels to work closely with youth groups when making and carrying out health policies. According to them, young people have fresh ideas and energy that can help fix problems in the country’s health system.

The appeal was made on Saturday in Akure during the final part of the NextGen Health Governance Project. The project was put together by the Get Healthy Africa Initiative with support from the Nigeria Youth Future Fund. Speakers stressed that youths should not just watch from the side but take active part in shaping health governance for better results.

Mr Faysol Oluwakemi, Project Lead and Executive Director of Get Healthy Africa Initiative, explained that many young people do not know their rights or how they can help in the health sector. He said the energy, innovation, and technology skills of youths should be used to strengthen the system. He added that no one should decide what a community needs without asking the people, especially at the primary health care level.

Adeola Joshua, National President of the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum, told the gathering that youths are leaders of today, not tomorrow. He urged them to stop only criticising government policies and instead bring practical solutions, such as using digital tools for health innovation and advocacy. Catherine Ogbunjebi, who represented the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, praised the project and encouraged more such engagements.

The youths believe that greater involvement will help solve many challenges facing the health sector, including low awareness and overstretched services. They called on governments to create more spaces for young people to contribute at the grassroots. This move, they said, will lead to real and lasting improvements in healthcare delivery across Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.