National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos Chapter, has officially launched its much-anticipated “Back 2 Street” Initiative, a grassroots-driven programme aimed at empowering young people with practical skills, knowledge, and innovative ideas for self-development and self-reliance.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Lagos State Chairman of NYCN, Adigun Olalekan Ibrahim, who also serves as Chairman of all State Chairmen of the Council nationwide. A proud indigene of Mushin born and bred in the historic Lagos community, Comrade Adigun revealed that Mushin would serve as the pilot ground for the programme before its expansion to other local government areas across Lagos State and eventually nationwide.

Speaking at the unveiling, Comrade Adigun emphasized that the “Back 2 Street” Initiative is designed to take development directly to the grassroots, targeting youths in their immediate communities rather than waiting for centralized opportunities.

According to him, the programme is anchored on three core pillars namely; Youth Development and Empowerment – Providing vocational training, entrepreneurial support, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities. Community Security and Safety – Promoting youth participation in maintaining peace, discouraging cultism, thuggery, and social vices. Education and Enlightenment – Driving awareness campaigns, civic education, and value reorientation initiatives.

He noted that the vision is to redirect the energy of Nigerian youths into productive ventures that foster economic growth, social stability, and national development.

The NYCN Lagos Chapter began the initiative from Mushin, acknowledging the significant strides made in youth engagement and peace-building within the community by some of its leaders. 

During a courtesy visit to Idi-Oro, the delegation paid homage to the leadership of “Mushine One Love,” a community-based movement known for its conflict resolution efforts and strong stance against hooliganism and violence.

The convener of the group, Rasaq Folorunsho, popularly known as Abija Amani, was honoured as the Back 2 Street Initiative Ambassador in recognition of his contributions to youth engagement and the relative peace recorded in Mushin in recent times.

Comrade Adigun commended Amani for his firm disposition against thuggery and cult-related activities, and presented him with the official T-shirt and emblem with the Council year 2025 activities yearbook. 

The NYCN Chairman explained that launching the programme in Mushin is not only symbolic but strategic, as Mushin community has often been at the center of youth-related narratives in Lagos. By starting at home, he said, the council intends to demonstrate that meaningful change is achievable through collective responsibility and structured engagement.

He further disclosed that after the Mushin pilot phase, the “Back 2 Street” Initiative would be extended to other parts of Lagos State and subsequently replicated across Nigeria.

With the formal endorsement and ambassadorial support of Abija Amani, the NYCN Lagos Chapter expressed optimism that the programme would redefine youth participation in community building and national development.

Responding to the gesture, Ambassador Rasaq Folorunsho (Amani) lauded the initiative as timely, particularly in the face of rising unemployment, social unrest, and the vulnerability of young people to crime and substance abuse.

He promised to give his best along with his team by giving all support needed to make the initiative a success. 

As the “Back 2 Street” Initiative begins in Mushin, expectations are high that the programme will not only empower youths economically but also strengthen peace, security, and civic responsibility, setting a model for communities across Lagos and Nigeria at large.