By Staff Reporter

For decades, young people have been described as the backbone of the nation, yet they remain largely absent from the tables where policies are made and power is exercised. Despite constituting more than 70 percent of the population—over half of whom are students—youth voices are still rarely taken seriously in governance and political appointments. This paradox is now being directly challenged by a growing student-led movement.
That challenge found expression in the birth of the Senator Wadada Students Alliance (SWSA), a platform designed to organize, mobilize, and empower students both at home and in the diaspora. The Alliance emerged from a shared conviction among young people that remaining passive observers in politics is no longer an option.
On a defining day for the movement, delegates, coordinators, and members of SWSA convened to lay the foundation for what they described as a Disciplined Student Movement. The gathering went beyond speeches and rhetoric. Participants engaged in strategic planning focused on grassroots mobilization—moving from school to school and campus to campus—to raise awareness and unify students around a common purpose.
The objective, according to participants, is clear: to speak with one voice and work collectively toward delivering meaningful political engagement and representation at the unit level. The emphasis on discipline, structure, and coordinated action marked a shift from fragmented student activism to a more organized and goal-driven approach.
What emerged from the meeting was a renewed sense of clarity, unity, and direction. Members described the Alliance as a movement driven by purpose, sustained by discipline, and committed to making a tangible impact in the political landscape.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with questions of youth inclusion and representation, SWSA positions itself as a response to long-standing marginalization. Through collective strength and sustained commitment, the Alliance says it is ready to play its role in shaping the future.
With faith, resolve, and growing momentum, members insist the movement is not a fleeting initiative but a lasting force. As the chant from the gathering echoed: “Who else if not Wadada?”