The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria’s youth

  • Mr. President, save Nigeria’s youth

    Mr. President, save Nigeria’s youth

    Sir: In 1975 at Dodan Barracks, an iconic photo was taken. In that frame stood three young men already carrying the weight of the nation on their shoulders: Adamu Ciroma, 41, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, 37, Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, and Murtala Muhammed, 36, Head of State.

    They were young, sharp, ambitious, and responsible. Just five years before that moment, Nigeria had fought a brutal civil war. At only 33, Obasanjo took the surrender of Biafra. And even earlier, Yakubu Gowon became Head of State at just 31. These were young Nigerians who carried heavy responsibilities with courage.

    Mr. President, where are we today?

    At age 30, millions of Nigerian youths are jobless, roaming the streets with certificates that mean nothing. Many of us have no employable skills because our education system is broken. Some have fallen into crime—cultism, fraud, kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism. Others risk their lives crossing the desert or drowning in the sea, chasing the Japa dream, only to end up stranded in foreign lands.

    We are not lazy. We are simply lost in a system that has failed us. We are tired of being called the leaders of tomorrow when our today has already been stolen.

    We are trapped in bad schools and poor education, hospitals without medicine or equipment, insecurity that keeps farmers from their land and families from sleeping in peace, darkness because of lack of electricity, hunger everywhere—more than 85% of Nigerians cannot afford three meals a day, and joblessness—over 95% of youths have no chance to grow or contribute to this country

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    This pain is real, Mr. President. It is why crimes keep rising. It is why peace is broken. It is why our youths are angry, desperate, and hopeless.

    I am almost 30, and I write this with tears as a voice for millions of young Nigerians. We believe in your Renewed Hope agenda. Your Excellency, every day it seems life only gets harder.

    We need action, not promises. We need jobs, not slogans. We need food, not hunger. We need schools that work, hospitals that heal, and electricity that stays on, and leaders who care.

    Mr. President, history has given you this chance. Please do not fail us. We need a rebirth of Nigeria. We need discipline, education, patriotism, and above all, leadership that put people first.

    Sir, hear our cry. Hear the cry of your youths. If Nigeria fails us again, the future will be lost. But if you act now, history will remember you as the leader who saved a generation.

    Nigeria must rise again.

    •Yasir Shehu Adam (Dan Liman), Bauchi.

  • Nigeria’s youth in a fragile economy

    Nigeria’s youth in a fragile economy

    • By Muhammad Umar Shehu

    Sir: Nigeria’s youth are growing up in a country weighed down by economic instability, rising inflation, political uncertainty, and widespread insecurity. Yet despite these harsh realities, they continue to push back, refusing to be buried under the weight of a system that has repeatedly failed them.

    With over 70% of the population under the age of 30, the Nigerian youth are not just a demographic fact. They are a force. But this force operates in a country where job opportunities are scarce, education is underfunded, and the cost of living keeps rising. Many graduates roam the streets for years without employment. Even those with jobs often earn salaries that barely cover transportation and food, let alone rent or savings.

    In response to these struggles, many young people are turning to alternative paths. The digital economy has become a lifeline, and platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and X are being used for work, advocacy, education, and influence. Self-taught developers, content creators, and freelancers are building new careers from scratch, often with little to no support from the government or traditional institutions.

    At the same time, there’s a growing political awareness. Across social media, campuses, and community spaces, young Nigerians are organizing, speaking out, and demanding better governance. They are increasingly asking tough questions, mobilizing around issues that affect their daily lives, and refusing to be silenced by fear or frustration.

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    Still, the journey is tough. Youth-led initiatives often face resistance, intimidation, and a lack of institutional support. Many of the country’s leaders remain disconnected from the realities of young people. But that hasn’t stopped this generation from getting involved in politics, leading social change, and creating their own opportunities to make an impact.

    From small business owners in rural areas to young creatives and tech enthusiasts in urban centres, Nigerian youth are showing resilience, courage, and a strong desire to reshape their country. They are not waiting for handouts or hoping for miracles. They are building, learning, and leading with what little they have.

    The economy may be fragile and the leadership uncertain, but the determination of Nigeria’s youth remains strong. And in that, there is still hope for the kind of change that can move the country forward.

    •Muhammad Umar Shehu,

    Gombe.