The continuing basis of the work and witness of the Young Men’s Christian Association is expressed in the Paris Basis, as adopted by the delegates of the first world conference in Paris in 1855, and reaffirmed by the 6^th World Council of YMCAs in 1973:

“The Young Men’s Christian Associations seek to unite those young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour, according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be his disciples in their faith and in their life, and to associate their efforts for the extension of his Kingdom amongst young men.

Any differences of opinion on other subjects, however important in themselves, shall not interfere with the harmonious relations of the constituent members and associates of the World Alliance.”

The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) is one of the oldest and largest Movements for youth in the world. It is a community-based Christian organization, voluntary, youth-focused, non-profit making and an International Organization working to bring social justice and peace to young people and their communities, regardless of religion, race, gender or culture. Twelve young men led by George Williams founded the first YMCA in London, England on the 6^th of June 1844. It now operates in over 120 countries and reaching over 58 million people. The YMCA works to bring social justice and peace to young people and their communities, regardless of religion, race, gender or culture.

Local and National YMCA Associations are strongly rooted in their communities, depending on the local context and priority issues affecting young people. YMCAs operate in a wide range of programme areas. In addition to undertaking research, awareness-raising, and training in these programme areas, YMCAs also advocate to ensure adequate promulgation of national and international public policies that protect and promote the rights of youth and women in particular.  Through these actions, YMCAs are creating long-lasting change in the lives of millions of youth and the communities of which they are part.   In all activities, strong emphasis is given to youth leadership and youth participation.

The first YMCA organized group in Nigeria was formed in the city of Kano in 1925 but that local church-based group soon faded away until 1944 when YMCA was formed in Lagos. Taking a cue from Lagos, YMCA groups sprang up in other cities and towns with YMCA Kaduna formed in 1964 being the first within Northern Nigeria. The National Council is the representative organisation of the YMCAs in Nigeria and is an integral part of the African and World Alliances of YMCAs. It brings together the YMCAs in Nigeria to harness resources, share experiences and face the challenges of the country as a network. The volunteer and staff structures have enabled broad cross-sections of Nigerian people to participate in the identification, design and management of community-based youth programmes. As a volunteer-driven organisation, the YMCA places strong emphasis on democratic leadership, transparent governance, and inclusive participation of the communities with whom we work.

The YMCA Northern Zone was established as North State Committee in 1972 and changed to Northern Zone Committee in the year 2000 after the creation of three (3) Zonal Committees by the National Council of YMCAs of Nigeria as part of the National Council to coordinate local YMCAs in achieving the aims and purpose of the YMCA.

Currently, the Northern Zone is comprised of sixteen (12) active Local Associations and four (4) youth clubs/upcoming Local YMCAs in 8 states of Northern Nigeria and also the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja. It serves as a unifying forum to encourage and develop capacities of local YMCAs in the North of Nigeria through fellowships, meetings, training, workshop, sharing experiences through reports, deliberations and encouragement on ways of fostering better and effective services to the youth, the less privileged and the society.

The Northern Zone coordinates, supports, monitors, evaluates, supervises and strengthens these Local Associations for effective and efficient programme delivery to our target youths and communities for the attainment of our vision and mission. The Northern Zone Headquarters is located at YMCA National Leadership Training Centre (NLTC) Gwafan-Lamingo, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.