Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) aka Youth Action Initiative Africa is a youth-based non-governmental organization that promotes democratic governance, human rights and youth political participation. YIAGA focuses on in-depth research, capacity development and public policy advocacy. Since its inception, the organization has carved a niche for itself as one of Nigeria’s frontline youth civil society organization promoting participatory democracy, human rights and active civic participation. With its operational base in Abuja, Nigeria, YIAGA started off in 2007 as a student association in University of Jos, Plateau State. Registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission CAC/IT/No.38620, YIAGA seeks to launch itself as an innovative “youth think and do” tank poised with the onerous mandate of enhancing the quality of democratic governance, human rights enforcement and youth political participation in Nigeria and Africa.

To this end, YIAGA focuses on in-depth research, providing critical analysis of key democratic and governance issues, crafting practical solutions, training and situating youth leaders in strategic point of engagements within their community. Using this approach, YIAGA implements several innovative programs aimed at stimulating active citizenship, protecting human rights and deepening democratic governance.

With a highly motivated, youthful and innovative staff, YIAGA has implemented numerous youth democracy projects with the support of her local and international partners. Notable amongst our key partners are; National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Washington DC, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), Democratic Governance for Development Project of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP/DGD), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy Abuja, International Republican Institute (IRI) etc.