…Calls for urgent national revival

From  Bimbola Oyesola

Against the backdrop of rising youth unemployment, stakeholders have raised the alarm over the consequencesm if the government fails to take urgent action to tackle joblessness among the youth pop[ultion.

Delivering a stirring call to action at the 2025 Rhema World Press Conference held at the Champion Peace Cathedral, Sango-Ota, Ogun State, at the weekend , Archbishop Dr. Taiwo Akinola, Presiding Bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers (RCC&T), said there was no better time than now, as the youth hold the power to turn the situation around in the country.

Speaking ahead of the church’s 34th World Convention, themed “The God of All Possibilities”, Archbishop Akinola lamented that, despite modest GDP growth figures, millions of Nigerian youths remain trapped in poverty, joblessness and despair. “Our youth are a divine asset, not a burden,” he declared. “The rate of unemployment among them is a moral and national emergency.”

He noted that while official data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) puts youth unemployment at 6.5% for ages 15–24, independent analyses suggest a much grimmer reality, with joblessness affecting more than half of Nigeria’s youth population. “Behind every statistic is a life filled with frustration, a dream deferred, and a future endangered,” Akinola said.

The cleric decried the economic stagnation that continues to leave graduates idle and underutilized. He warned that the growing wave of hopelessness among young Nigerians could fuel social unrest, crime, and irregular migration. “When hope dies, desperation takes over,” he cautioned. “A nation that neglects its youth mortgages its future.”

Archbishop Akinola urged the government to go beyond economic rhetoric and focus on practical interventions that empower young people.

“We must invest massively in vocational training, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and mentorship,” he said. “Our education system must move from theory to productivity, from certificates to competence.”

He also called for stronger collaboration between the government, private sector, and faith-based organizations to create sustainable job opportunities and mentorship platforms.

“It is time to unlock the creativity and resilience of our youth. Give them tools, not pity; give them hope, not handouts,” he emphasized.

The Archbishop’s remarks came amid widespread public frustration over rising inflation, poor infrastructure, and recurrent university strikes that have disrupted academic calendars nationwide.

“Every ASUU strike doesn’t just close classrooms — it closes doors of opportunity,” Akinola remarked, urging both the government and unions to prioritize students’ futures over politics.

He linked the issue of youth unemployment to the broader moral and leadership crisis in the nation. “Leadership in Nigeria must be redefined as service, not self-enrichment,” he said, calling for integrity and compassion in policy-making. “Our leaders must remember that governance is stewardship before God.”

Despite his stern critique, Archbishop Akinola offered hope, declaring that Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable through unity, righteousness, and visionary leadership. “We believe Nigeria’s story is not over,” he said. “With integrity, faith, and collective action, this nation shall rise again.”

The press conference also unveiled details of the forthcoming Rhema World Convention 2025, scheduled from November 2nd to 9th at the church’s headquarters in Sango-Ota. The event will feature global ministers, seminars, welfare outreaches, and the annual Hosanna Night, a celebration of praise and miracles.

In a symbolic gesture of compassion, the church announced plans to provide free camp accommodation and two daily meals for attendees, alongside special welfare packages and medical outreaches for the less privileged. “As we gather to celebrate God’s faithfulness, we will also extend His love to those in need,” Akinola said.

Addressing the nation’s deepening insecurity, he called for urgent security reforms, intelligence coordination, and community policing.

“No nation can thrive amid fear and violence. Peace must be built on justice,” he asserted, while urging faith leaders to support trauma healing and reconciliation efforts.

Archbishop Akinola also warned about Nigeria’s rising debt profile, describing it as “a ticking time bomb for future generations.” He challenged the government to ensure that all borrowings are directed toward productive ventures that create jobs and long-term value. “Stewardship must be guided by moral responsibility before God,” he insisted.

In his closing remarks, the Archbishop anchored his message on faith and national renewal. “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray… then will I heal their land,” he quoted from 2 Chronicles 7:14, calling Nigerians to repentance, unity, and civic responsibility.

With a tone of conviction and compassion, Archbishop Akinola’s message went beyond the pulpit, it was a rallying cry for a generation on the brink.

“Our youth must rise, our leaders must act, and our nation must awaken,” he concluded. “The God of all possibilities will make Nigeria great again, if we all do our part.”

Call to Action:

Archbishop Akinola’s appeal is clear: Every Nigerian, from the corridors of power to the classroom must join hands to rebuild the nation.

He advised the government to prioritize youth empowerment in national policy, the private sector to invest in innovation and skills development, and faith communities to nurture discipline, creativity, and moral leadership among the youth.