The Network of Youth Groups in Nigeria, NYGN, a coalition representing over 50 youth-led organizations, student unions, grassroots movements, and civil society advocates nationwide, has called on renowned humanitarian and strategic leader, Mrs. Angela Johnson, to formally declare her intention to contest the 2027 Presidential Election.
The call was made in Abuja on May 7, 2026, in a statement titled “Nigeria Demands a Mother’s Heart, a Reformer’s Hand, and a Strategist’s Mind.”
The NYGN said Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment in its history and identified four critical national crises demanding urgent and decisive leadership. These include mass unemployment, rising cost of living, persistent insecurity, and political exclusion of young people.
“Despite persistent promises of economic recovery and national renewal, millions of Nigerian youths continue to grapple with escalating hardship, pervasive hopelessness, and systemic exclusion,” the statement said. It added that millions of educated young Nigerians face chronic joblessness while countless others are trapped in underemployment and economic uncertainty.
On the economy, the coalition said inflation and economic instability have rendered basic survival unattainable for ordinary citizens. “Soaring food prices, transportation costs, rent, and healthcare expenses exert unbearable pressure on families and young people daily,” the statement noted.
The group also described insecurity as a national emergency, stating that “from our vital highways to our farmlands, schools, and communities, insecurity has metastasized into a national emergency. Fear has supplanted freedom, impeding the ability of many young Nigerians to pursue education, commerce, or innovation in safety.”
On political participation, the NYGN said the Nigerian youth are resolute in their rejection of being mere spectators in the governance of their own nation. “The imperative for visionary, compassionate, intellectually grounded, and people-centered leadership that genuinely reflects the realities of ordinary citizens has never been more urgent,” it said.
The coalition said that following extensive consultations and meticulous observation of the national landscape, it believes Mrs. Angela Johnson embodies the credible alternative and transformational leadership Nigeria desperately needs. It described her as a respected legal professional, humanitarian leader, and a strategist with a proven track record of advocating for vulnerable communities through her international outreach and charitable initiatives, adding that she exemplifies the “Compassion–Competence Advantage.”
“Her consistent commitment to humanity, justice, youth empowerment, and ethical leadership distinctly sets her apart from the traditional political establishment. Her experience in managing complex international programs and mobilizing resources demonstrates a profound executive capability, translating humanitarian vision into tangible impact,” the statement read.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, the National Coordinator stated, “For decades, Nigerians have witnessed the cyclical resurgence of the same political structures, while the populace continues to endure immense suffering. What this nation requires now is not merely another politician, but a reformer endowed with compassion, courage, and unwavering integrity. Mrs. Angela Johnson has unequivocally demonstrated through years of dedicated service that leadership can indeed be humane, responsible, and truly transformational. She represents a beacon of hope for millions of young Nigerians who are yearning for a new, progressive direction.”
The NYGN said its appeal is a solemn national call to service and implored Mrs. Angela Johnson to heed the profound yearnings of millions of Nigerians, particularly the youth, who aspire to a safer, fairer, and more prosperous nation.
“Should she accept this historic responsibility, the Network of Youth Groups in Nigeria pledges to galvanize its nationwide grassroots structures, media platforms, dedicated youth volunteers, and extensive civic networks towards forging a truly people-driven movement for national transformation. We envision a New Nigeria founded on the pillars of competence, compassion, justice, inclusion, and human dignity,” the statement added.
The statement was signed by Comrade Mallam Isah Mohammed of the North-West Youth Salvation Front and Mr. Tunde Johnson Bakare of the Network of Youth Groups in Nigeria, NYGN, Abuja Secretariat.
