Addressing Nigeria’s Youths Development imperative

By Paul Onehi
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, has a vibrant and dynamic youth population that accounts for more than 60% of its total population. With such a large youth population, the development and well-being of the younger generation are crucial for the country’s sustainable growth and progress.

However, despite having immense potential, Nigerian youth face several challenges that hinder their development and hinder their chances of reaching their full potential. In this article, we will delve into the challenges, opportunities, and potential solutions for youth development in Nigeria.

A more nuanced examination of the data reveals a striking demographic reality. A significant 70% of the population falls within the youthful age bracket of 30 years or younger. Furthermore, a substantial 42% of this demographic comprises individuals under the age of 15, highlighting the pronounced youthfulness of the population.

According to projections by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in 2022, a staggering 35% of young individuals within the 15-34 age bracket face unemployment. Despite significant investments in public and private sector education over the past two decades, Nigeria’s education system produces millions of graduates annually, many of whom are either underprepared or unemployable. This has resulted in a growing pool of educated yet unemployed youth, exacerbating the country’s employment crisis.

Every couple of months an additional layer is added to the multitude of the frustrated who left school thinking their shiny new certificates would deliver to them a better life. They would soon get rude reality checks after discovering those with superior paper qualifications who have been on the queue for ages.

For far too long, many leaders failed to recognize the perilous consequences of their actions. The indiscriminate approval of numerous universities, owned by state and federal governments, private individuals, and institutions, has led to a crisis of unmanageable proportions. The lack of foresight regarding the employability and future prospects of the vast number of graduates produced by these institutions has resulted in a daunting reality.

Regrettably, despite the current predicament, the approval of additional tertiary institutions continues unabated, perpetuating a cycle that threatens to worse the existing challenges.
Little wonder that in the last five years, the contraction of opportunities has created a new wave of migration by young people – the so-called ‘japa’ (Yoruba for escape) phenomenon.

There are no clear figures but reasonable estimates would put the number of those who have fled in search of a better life in the high hundreds of thousands.

Social media platforms are replete with triumphant posts from individuals who have successfully relocated to their desired destinations, often eliciting feelings of envy and desperation among those still stranded, fervently seeking ways to circumvent visa regulations in various European countries.

Tragically, not all have been fortunate. Some aspiring migrants have met a devastating fate, perishing in the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean or succumbing to the harsh conditions of the Sahara Desert. Their dreams of a better life brutally cut short, they will never have the opportunity to share their experiences on social media.

Others, driven by the conviction that any alternative was preferable to their current circumstances, have discovered the cruel reality that “hell has levels.” They have endured unimaginable mistreatment, particularly in countries like Libya, where the promise of a brighter future has given way to unmitigated suffering.

Throughout history economic adversity has driven people to other lands in search of a better life. So what is happening in Nigeria at this historical juncture is not unique. What should concern us is doing something so that our homeland isn’t a place people – young or old – flee from.

In the end no country, no matter how welcoming, is going to open its borders for an unending inflow of desperate migrants from the ends of the earth. We are already seeing that resistance. During the campaigns for the U. S. presidency last year, the Republican candidate and now President-elect Donald Trump, made the anti-immigrant message central to his sales pitch. It worked a treat as millions of Americans swept him back into office despite his moral baggage.

In the end no country, no matter how welcoming, is going to open its borders for an unending inflow of desperate migrants from the ends of the earth. We are already seeing that resistance. During the campaigns for the U. S. presidency last year, the Republican candidate and now President-elect Donald Trump, made the anti-immigrant message central to his sales pitch. It worked a treat as millions of Americans swept him back into office despite his moral baggage.

Across Europe, we are also seeing many countries that were quite accommodating to outsiders now electing parties whose main attraction is their hostility to immigrants. That’s why it is pitiable seeing the desperation of young people who think that salvation lies only in escaping from Nigeria, not knowing that slowly, but surely, the door is closing to that option. The only truly viable alternative in making your home liveable, not wasting valuable time despising it.

Regrettably, many young individuals have historically demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm for matters related to politics and governance. Instead, they have been captivated by the instant gratification offered by entertainment and social media, often prioritizing quick financial gains over civic engagement and meaningful participation in the democratic process.

It is evident in the rapid spread of online financial scams involving mostly young people. Each month the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) parades hundreds of freshly arrested suspects. But the more they are apprehended, the more they multiply, damaging the image and reputation of the country around the world.

Many of these youths have long since lost their moral compass. They are content with blaming those in government for messing up the country without accountable, or getting involved in the process of running things.

It’s astonishing how some individuals conveniently shift the blame, ignoring their own contributions to Nigeria’s tarnished reputation and damaged credit. They seem to overlook the fact that citizens who fail to participate in the governance process are equally culpable as those who have mismanaged the country .

By not engaging in the democratic process, these individuals relinquish their agency, allowing others to shape the country’s destiny. This lack of accountability perpetuates a cycle of finger-pointing, rather than constructive action.

Ultimately, it’s essential to acknowledge that good governance is a collective responsibility, requiring active participation from all citizens. By recognizing our individual roles in shaping Nigeria’s future, we can work towards creating a more accountable and transparent society.

The #EndSARS protests marked a significant turning point in Nigeria’s history, emerging as a powerful uprising against police brutality, but ultimately ending in controversy at the Lekki toll gate. What began as a noble movement sparked by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad’s (SARS) notorious human rights abuses, particularly against young Nigerians, quickly gained momentum.

Although the protests ended as a heroic failure, they were a pointer to young people who drove it, that with better organisation, they could achieve great things politically. Two years after the protests, the campaign season leading to the 2023 polls saw the involvement of more youths in the political process. Many were first time voters. They were also naive and saw their desire for change manipulated by Machiavellian politicians who were only interested in riding on their backs to power.

One of their big errors was a sense of entitlement that assumed they were ready to govern solely by belonging to the largest demographic in the country. Public office requires preparation and voters would not easily hand the highest ones to novices. Another mistake was deluding themselves that, somehow, they didn’t contribute to messing up the country. Nothing can be farther from the truth.

There are numerous politicians under 40 who have held public office at the state and local government levels, contributing significantly to the current state of affairs. Many of these young politicians have served in state assemblies or even the House of Representatives. A notable example is Dr. Betta Edu, who was a rising star in the Bola Tinubu administration. With her youth, intelligence, and charisma, she seemed destined for greatness. However, her career was cut short when she became embroiled in a corruption scandal that rocked her ministry in early 2024.

The starting point to unlocking the potentials of Nigeria’s huge youth population is a humble acceptance that all have sinned against this country. Secondly, we must acknowledge that young Nigerians have the ability to do great things even if they are resident in this country.

Some of the biggest entertainment stars to come out of Africa – the likes of Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido – are all Nigerians. Their compatriots are also doing great things in sports, fintech and filmmaking to mention a few.

Any wise government would do well to tap into the potential of its youth demographic. In Nigeria, President Tinubu has taken a step in this direction. During his Independence Day speech last year, he proposed a 30-day youth summit aimed at addressing the various challenges and opportunities facing young Nigerians.

On the face of it, the intervention shows an administration that understands the country has a huge challenge on its hands. The worry is how to ensure that this doesn’t end up as another jamboree for the usual windbags to bask in the limelight for a couple of hours. At the end of the day billions would have been spent with not much to show for the splurging.

A valid concern arises as to whether a 30-day summit is truly necessary to identify the needs and aspirations of Nigeria’s youth. The fact is, their desires are straightforward and well-known: opportunities for employment, support for education and entrepreneurship, and a functional society with leadership that sets a positive example. Many young Nigerians yearn for a country where systems work efficiently, and leaders demonstrate integrity and accountability.

That said, the government deserves credit for this initiative just as it should be commended for others like student loans and credit schemes. It should, however, ensure that the proposed summit which supposedly is to produce an actionable template for unlocking the massive energy of our youths doesn’t end up as another Nigerian horror show.