The legislative process can seem distant from the young people whose lives are shaped by the laws and policies it produces. Eseimokumo Albert Tony’s experience under the EU-funded PLAC Legislative Internship Programme brought that process much closer.
A youth advocate from Bayelsa State with experience in youth inclusion, governance, democracy and climate justice, Eseimokumo joined the programme to gain a practical understanding of how policies are developed and laws are made. Her work had exposed her to many of the issues affecting young people, but she wanted to understand what happens inside the institutions where decisions are taken.
The internship gave her that opportunity. Through direct exposure to the National Assembly, including legislative hearings at the Senate and House of Representatives, she saw first-hand how proposals are considered, debated and scrutinised.
The experience challenged some of her earlier assumptions. She had previously questioned how thoroughly bills were examined before becoming law. Following the different stages of the legislative process, from readings to committee consideration, gave her a clearer understanding of how legislation is examined and refined.
That insight also changed how she thinks about youth participation in governance. Eseimokumo believes young people cannot limit their engagement to conversations about policies that affect them. Meaningful participation requires understanding the institutions behind those decisions, seeking opportunities to engage and being prepared to contribute.
Her message to other young Nigerians reflects that conviction: do not wait for someone to create a space for you. Seek opportunities, make yourself available and find ways to contribute.
She describes the internship in three words: enlightenment, growth and perception. Beyond gaining knowledge of legislative procedures, the experience changed how she sees governance and her own place within it. She intends to apply what she has learnt as she continues her work on youth participation and public policy.
Eseimokumo’s experience reflects the broader value of the PLAC Legislative Internship Programme and the European Union’s support for greater youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic processes. Through the programme, young Nigerians gain direct exposure to democratic institutions, a stronger understanding of legislative processes and practical knowledge that can support their continued engagement in public life.
What began as an opportunity to understand how laws are made became a deeper understanding of how democratic institutions work and how young people can engage with the processes that shape their lives.
