By Fatima Sajida Isa
A Fellow of the Hubert Humphrey, USA, Professor Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, has called on African societies to urgently address the nexus between law, religion and youth if the continent is to secure its present and future.
Speaking at the 3-Day International Conference on Law, Religion and Youth in Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, Professor Ladan, who is also a member, World Jurist Association USA, and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, told delegates that the theme of the conference was “not merely academic; it is existential, developmental and profoundly transformative.”
“It is both a privilege and a profound honour to deliver this Special Address at this important International Conference on Law, Religion and Youth in Africa, organized by the African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies in the beautiful city of Kigali, Republic of Rwanda, in May 2026,” he said in his opening remarks.
Ladan commended the organisers for the “aptness, timeliness and strategic relevance of this conference theme,” noting that Africa stands “at a critical crossroads of demographic transformation, technological disruption, religious dynamism, security challenges, democratic transitions and increasing demands for social justice.”
He stressed that Africa’s youth bulge is both an opportunity and a risk. “Africa today is the youngest continent in the world. Over 70 percent of Africa’s population is below the age of 35, while more than 60 percent are under the age of 25. This youth bulge represents both Africa’s greatest strategic asset and, if mismanaged, one of its most serious vulnerabilities.”
According to Ladan, the future of governance, peace, religious coexistence, constitutional democracy, innovation, environmental sustainability and economic development in Africa “will largely depend on how effectively African societies empower and engage their youth populations.”
He highlighted the central role of religion in African public life, saying, “Across the continent, religion shapes identity, morality, culture, governance discourse, social cohesion and political mobilisation. Faith institutions remain among the most influential social structures in Africa, often commanding greater trust among citizens than many state institutions.”
Ladan explained that law provides “the normative framework through which rights are protected, justice is administered, freedoms are guaranteed and social order is maintained.” He added, “The interaction between law and religion therefore directly affects peacebuilding, constitutionalism, minority protection, gender justice, youth empowerment and the realization of human dignity.”
The professor argued that African youths are not passive but active agents of change. “African youths are not merely passive beneficiaries of governance systems; they are active agents of transformation. Across the continent, young people are increasingly playing significant roles in promoting religious tolerance, defending human rights, advancing constitutionalism and strengthening democratic accountability.”
He cited examples from across the continent: “From interfaith dialogue initiatives in West Africa, to youth-led peacebuilding networks in the Horn of Africa, to digital civic advocacy movements in Southern and Eastern Africa, African youths are demonstrating remarkable resilience, creativity and leadership.”
However, Ladan warned that millions of young Africans remain victims of exclusion and injustice. “Millions of young Africans remain victims of multiple forms of illegality, exclusion and structural injustice,” he said, listing unemployment, poverty, trafficking, forced migration, cybercrime exploitation, recruitment by violent extremist groups, religious radicalisation, political manipulation, arbitrary arrests, drug abuse, and digital misinformation as key challenges.
“Equally troubling is the growing misuse of religion by extremist actors who manipulate vulnerable youths through distorted ideological narratives, hate propaganda and violent mobilisation strategies,” he said.
Ladan outlined six structural challenges facing law, religion and youth relations in Africa, including “weak implementation of constitutional and legal protections,” “governance deficits, corruption and political instability,” and “poverty, inequality and limited access to quality education.” He also pointed to the dual role of the digital revolution, which “has created both opportunities and dangers.”
Despite these challenges, he said prospects remain encouraging, pointing to the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African Youth Charter, and national constitutional frameworks. “Across the continent, we are witnessing encouraging innovations: youth-led peacebuilding initiatives; interfaith dialogue platforms; technology-driven civic engagement; legal aid programmes for vulnerable youth; restorative justice mechanisms.”
Ladan called for a “holistic, inclusive and rights-based approach” going forward. He urged governments to strengthen constitutionalism and judicial independence, invest in youth education and skills, and empower faith leaders to “deepen interfaith dialogue, promote tolerance and reject all forms of hate speech, extremism and manipulation of religion for violence.”
He closed with a call to place youth at the center of Africa’s future. “History will judge our generation not merely by the laws we enact or the conferences we organise, but by whether we succeed in building an Africa where young people can live in dignity, practice their faith freely, access justice equally and realise their full human potential.”
“The future Africa we envision must be an Africa where law serves justice, religion promotes peace, and youth drive sustainable development,” Ladan said.