Delegates representing the 774 local government areas across Nigeria are arriving in Abuja ahead of the National Convention of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), scheduled to hold on Saturday, November 7, 2026.
The convention is expected to produce new national leaders of the youth organisation, with competition particularly intense for the positions of National Speaker and Deputy National Speaker.
Three aspirants have emerged as leading contenders for the National Speaker position: Umar Babayaro from Kaduna State, Mahmud Lawal from Zamfara State, and Alhassino Bauchi from Bauchi State.
The contest for Deputy National Speaker is also attracting attention, with Sotonye Ekine of Rivers State and Raymond Sylvanus of Cross River State seeking the position.
Sources familiar with the build-up to the convention say political interests are beginning to shape the contest, with individuals associated with different presidential aspirants ahead of the 2027 general election reportedly showing interest in the emergence of particular candidates.
The development has added a political dimension to the convention, which is expected to bring together youth delegates from across the country to determine the next leadership of the assembly.
The outcome of Saturday’s election is likely to attract attention beyond the organisation, given the growing interest of political actors in youth mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
