Indeed, it is paradoxical that globally the youth are a ‘demographic majority’ and yet a ‘political minority’. Youth activism is an essential ingredient of politics. Historically, this has been so, with many concrete illustrations, which can be drawn from many countries. Yet, contemporarily, in most countries, especially so-called developing countries such as Nigeria, the role of the youth in politics has been relegated to merely being mobilized cannon fodder in the arsenal of reckless political gladiators. Educational policies fail to address their needs and aspirations. Economic policies undermine their potentials and dampen their spirits. And national development policies ignore their input, engagement and roles.
It is very important that we seriously interrogate ‘Why this is so’, especially here in Nigeria; and ‘why it shouldn’t be so’! And conceptualize a more appropriate role for the youth in the construction of a better future for Nigeria, given all the current challenges. In this context, I argue that this serious matter of the neglect and disempowerment of our youth is so, because essentially, our brand of leaders seem to lack enlightened self-interest; they conflate narrow-minded short term selfish interests, with community or national interest; they are generally reckless and backward in their worldviews, and therefore seem incapable of catalyzing constructive roles for the youth. They construct an elitist narrative of being concerned with the affairs of the youth, but make no substantive effort in policies or programs to address their plight. They have failed to harness the demographic asset, which young people are, into a dividend for national development. The so-called youth bulge, in Africa in general and in Nigeria in particular (it being the most populous country on the continent), is deliberately, or negligently being turned into a huge liability rather than a demographic dividend.
But, this should not be so, because this situation subverts the potential contributions to national development of the most active segment of the population, perpetuates our underdevelopment, nurtures restiveness, vandalism and instability, as well as undermines our country’s competitiveness globally.
It is imperative that we take measures urgently to empower and enable our youth to play appropriate roles in our politics in particular, and in our polity and political economy in general.
In this presentation, I hope to provoke our thoughts, conscience, and souls; hopefully to add to the clarion-call for a concerted action for youth involvement and engagement and for the placement of the needs and aspirations of our youth high on the priority agenda of national policies and programs. National Progress and development is conditional on the youth playing more appropriate roles in the political economy. Nigeria neglects its youth at its own peril. The youth are our future! We must guard, protect and nurture our future.