Nigeria’s Shagari emerges chairman of Gobal Youth body

Muhammad Bello Bala-Shagari, a Nigerian, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization (NAMYO) for the term from 2026 to 2029. This election took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, and Bala-Shagari emerged victorious after a four-round election, defeating contenders from Qatar, Tanzania, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

The final round reduced the candidates to Nigeria and Qatar, where Bala-Shagari won with 39 votes against Qatar's Khadeja Ahmad Albuhaqliqa's 19 votes. Out of 65 eligible voters, only 58 ballots were cast during the final round. This makes Bala-Shagari the first Chairperson of NAMYO since the organization was established in 2022.

NAMYO serves as the youth wing of the Non-Aligned Movement, offering a platform for young people from member states to collaborate on various initiatives such as youth cooperation, peacebuilding, sustainable development, international solidarity, and civic participation. Bala-Shagari's extensive background in youth leadership and international relations will certainly contribute to his role.

Before becoming NAMYO's Chairperson, he served as its Vice Chairperson for Africa and led the Nigerian national chapter. Additionally, he held the position of President for the National Youth Council of Nigeria and has been engaged in youth development, civic engagement, international cooperation, and documentary filmmaking. Bala-Shagari's family has a history of political leadership; he is the grandson of Nigeria's first democratically elected president, Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, who took office in 1979.

Bala-Shagari is set to take office on October 1, 2026, succeeding Leyla Hasanova, the previous NAMYO Chairperson from Azerbaijan.