By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), has identified poor implementation of existing policies—not the absence of laws—as the major factor hindering youth development in Nigeria.
Ajulo made this assertion on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme aired on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State. Speaking extensively on governance, youth inclusion, and institutional inefficiencies, he argued that while Nigeria has enacted numerous policies aimed at empowering young people, the real challenge lies in translating these frameworks into tangible outcomes.
According to him, a significant gap exists between policy formulation and execution, a problem he described as deeply systemic. He noted that even when there is political will at the leadership level, the success of any policy ultimately depends on those responsible for its implementation.
“It is about implementation and political will,” Ajulo said. “But beyond that, the critical question is: who are those driving the implementation? As Attorney General, my role is to develop policies and provide direction, but enforcement lies with other actors. That is where the breakdown often occurs.”
Ajulo stressed that Nigeria is not short of legal frameworks. Instead, he argued that the country is “overburdened with laws” that are poorly applied or inadequately enforced. This, he said, has resulted in many policies existing only on paper, with little or no impact on the lives of young Nigerians.
He attributed the implementation gap to structural inefficiencies and ethical challenges within institutions. According to him, personal interests and systemic loopholes frequently override national priorities, undermining the effectiveness of governance.
“The essence of the rule of law is to set aside personal interests and act in the best interest of society,” he said. “If we can uphold that principle, many of these challenges will naturally resolve themselves.”
Highlighting the disconnect between policy and reality, Ajulo pointed to employment and recruitment practices as clear examples of failed implementation. While many policies promote youth inclusion, he noted that actual practices often contradict these objectives.
He lamented the persistence of age falsification and prolonged retention in service, particularly within government institutions, which he said deprive young Nigerians of employment opportunities.
“You still find individuals well above retirement age occupying positions meant for younger people, sometimes through manipulated records,” he said. “If these spaces are not freed up, unemployment will continue to rise.”
Ajulo emphasised that youth development must remain a national priority, given Nigeria’s demographic structure. He described young people as the backbone of society and a critical driver of innovation, energy, and long-term development.
“If you want to understand any society, look at its youth,” he said. “Once you empower them and give them a sense of belonging, you reduce many of the problems facing that society.”
On political participation, he urged young Nigerians to move beyond passive involvement and take active roles in leadership. Despite their numerical strength, he observed that youths remain underrepresented in governance due to weak mobilisation and limited strategic engagement.
“Power is not served to anyone on a platter,” Ajulo said. “Young people must step forward, organise themselves, and take what belongs to them within the confines of the law.”
Addressing the issue of employability, Ajulo criticised the country’s overreliance on academic certificates, advocating instead for a skills-driven education system. He argued that practical competence, social intelligence, and adaptability are more valuable in today’s world than mere academic credentials.
“Our education system must shift towards practical and entrepreneurial learning,” he said. “If structured properly, about 80 percent should focus on practical knowledge, while only 20 percent remains theoretical.”
He also commended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), under the leadership of Afam Osigwe, for introducing a mentorship initiative aimed at bridging the gap between legal education and practice. Ajulo described the programme as a historic step toward equipping young lawyers with real-world skills.
On justice sector reforms in Ondo State, Ajulo noted that many initiatives under his leadership are inherently youth-focused, given that young people constitute the majority of those interacting with the legal system. He highlighted measures such as increasing the number of judges, automating court processes, and introducing volunteer legal services for young lawyers.
“For the first time since the creation of Ondo State, we increased the number of judges from 24 to 35,” he said. “We are also automating court processes to improve efficiency and access to justice.”
He added that over 200 young lawyers have been engaged through volunteer programmes, providing them with practical experience while contributing to the justice system.
Reiterating his central message, Ajulo concluded that Nigeria’s progress depends largely on closing the implementation gap. He warned that without effective execution, even the best policies would fail to deliver meaningful results.
“At the end of the day, it still comes back to implementation,” he said. “If we can get that right and properly harness the potential of our youth, we will unlock significant opportunities for national development.”
