Nigeria’s Muhammad Bello Bala-Shagari has been elected Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement Youth Organization (NAMYO) for the 2026–2029 term.

Bala-Shagari emerged winner after a competitive four-round election held in Baku, Azerbaijan, defeating candidates from Qatar, Tanzania, Uganda and Uzbekistan.

The contest was eventually narrowed to a final-round battle between Nigeria and Qatar.

A total of 58 ballots were cast out of 65 eligible voters in the final round, with Bala-Shagari securing 39 votes against 19 obtained by Qatar’s Khadeja Ahmad Albuhaqliqa.

His election makes him the first elected Chairperson of NAMYO since the organisation was established in 2022.

NAMYO is the youth arm of the Non-Aligned Movement, providing a platform for young people from member states to promote youth cooperation, leadership, peacebuilding, sustainable development, international solidarity and civic participation.

Bala-Shagari brings considerable experience in youth leadership and international engagement to the position.

He previously served as NAMYO Vice Chairperson for Africa and headed the organisation’s Nigerian national chapter. He was also President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria and has been involved in youth development, civic engagement, international cooperation and documentary filmmaking.

His emergence also continues a political leadership legacy associated with his family.

Bala-Shagari is the grandson of former Nigerian President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, who became Nigeria’s first democratically elected executive president in 1979.

While his grandfather emerged through Nigeria’s first presidential election under the Second Republic, Bala-Shagari has now secured an elected leadership position on an international youth platform.

Bala-Shagari is expected to assume office on October 1, 2026, succeeding Azerbaijan’s Leyla Hasanova, who previously served as NAMYO Chairperson. (Daily Trust)