The member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Dr Midala Usman Balami, has urged Nigerian youths to move beyond reacting to political headlines and become active participants in governance by understanding legislative processes and engaging in policymaking.

Speaking during a fireside chat themed “Beyond the Headlines: Understanding the Realities of the Nigerian Legislature” at the YALI Network Abuja Engage Government Series on Saturday, Balami said young people must shift from merely criticising government to taking practical steps towards influencing public policy.

“We do more murmuring and blaming than acting. We must be result-oriented and take action. Be active and contest for positions. I found out that just talking doesn’t work,” he said.

Balami also attributed many of Nigeria’s electoral outcomes to vote buying rather than informed voting, saying this continues to undermine the country’s democratic process.

“The gap isn’t a lack of knowledge about who to support. Our elections are decided by who gives out more money or food items,” he said.

He encouraged citizens, particularly youths, to participate in legislative activities, noting that the National Assembly provides opportunities for public contributions during the lawmaking process.

“You have to seize the opportunity to contribute freely and actively to the development of your constituency and of Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Balami, who serves as Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Communication and is also a member of the Public Accounts Committee, described House committees as the engine room of legislative work and said they play a crucial role in ensuring government accountability.

Using the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road project as an example, he explained that oversight by the Public Accounts Committee led to the replacement of the contractor after investigations revealed that the road had been captured as completed in the budget despite remaining unfinished.

He said the committee’s intervention followed several motions he sponsored on the floor of the House calling for the completion of the project.

Balami further urged young people to work through organisations such as the YALI Network to promote collective action and drive positive change across the country.

“We can’t achieve the future we want for our children unless we make a positive contribution, not just by enlightening young people individually, but by working collectively to address the many challenges we face,” he said.

Earlier, the Coordinator of YALI Network Abuja, Utibe-Abasi Udotong, said the Engage Government Series was designed to improve public understanding of governance by giving participants direct access to policymakers.

He described the legislature as one of the most misunderstood arms of government, adding that the initiative seeks to bridge the knowledge gap by explaining how the National Assembly works and how citizens can engage with it.

“The main essence is to help people understand the governance process better,” he said.

Udotong also urged young Nigerians to approach governance issues from an informed perspective rather than reacting to sensational headlines without understanding the context.

The event also featured the unveiling of YALI Network Abuja’s first policy brief titled “One Chance in Nigeria: Confronting a Hidden Security and Transport Crisis,” which examines security challenges within the country’s transport system and recommends measures to address them.

Presenting the document, the team’s lead, Patience Ukange, said the research identified key gaps in transport safety and proposed practical solutions for policymakers.

According to findings contained in the brief, more than 91% of reported “one chance” incidents occurred through taxis, while about six per cent involved buses. She added that underreporting remains a major challenge, with only about six per cent of respondents saying they reported their experiences to security agencies.

Ukange called for stronger collaboration among relevant government agencies to improve transport safety in the Federal Capital Territory and other major cities.

“Beyond the institutions responsible, we also need to take action as individuals and communities. Pay attention to your own safety… and look out for the safety of others too,” she said.