UN Backs Nigerian Youths As Change Makers At Lagos Model UN Conference
At the sixth edition of the Lagos Secondary Schools Model United Nations (LASSMUN), the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, delivered a powerful message of encouragement to young Nigerians: “The UN is proud to be your ally.”
In a rousing video address to the student delegates gathered in Lagos, Fall affirmed that young people are not just the future, but vital voices of the present. “Your voices matter. Your ideas can shape policies, transform communities, and drive progress,” he declared, urging them to learn, debate, and carry the fire of change beyond the conference.
Held under the theme “UN@80 – Dismantling barriers and charting a pathway to meaningful youth engagement for SDGs achievement,” the event brought together hundreds of public secondary school students to discuss global issues and simulate UN procedures.
Grace Omowunmi Ogungbamigbe, President of the General Assembly, called for dismantling the persistent barriers faced by youth, from digital divides to limited access to education. “This requires moving beyond tokenism to genuine partnerships,” she said.
From state officials to student leaders, the call was clear: the world must invest in youth to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. And in a closing resolution, the delegates urged governments to include youth in decision-making and prioritize education as a basic human right.
As Fall aptly put it, “Your journey starts now.”
