The empowerment of Nigerian youths dominated discussions marking this year’s International Youth Day (IYD). The day is celebrated annually every August 12 to draw global attention to issues affecting the youths. It is also used to celebrate their potential for the development of the society. The IYD was established by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on 17 December 1999, after it endorsed the recommendation by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth calling for 12 August to be declared International Youth Day.
While celebrating the day, President Bola Tinubu eulogized the youths’ creative zeal in digital technology. The President also stated that “within the nation’s youths lie the excellent spirit and pearl of transformation to digitally innovate Nigeria to prosperity and global acclaim.” The theme of this year’s IYD, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development” emphasized digital empowerment for the young. Speaking on the event, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, stated that “achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a seismic shift – which can only happen of we empower young people and work with them as equals.” Unfortunately, many youths are neglected in Africa and other continents. Millions of them in Nigeria have no access to gainful employment. The youth populations in Africa are not productively engaged. That can explain their unbridled migration to United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
It was in a bid to harness the creative talents of the youths that the Tinubu administration re-launched Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. The N110billion facility will empower youths in sectors that will drive the SDGs. The government’s other schemes to drive youth empowerment and creation of IT and technical jobs include the Digital and Creative Enterprises, the N3million Technical Talents Scheme, the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA) and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP). Let these programmes be fully implemented.
Empowering Nigerian youths and investing in them cannot be overemphasized. With a high population of unemployed youths, the government should encourage the youths to drive Nigeria’s digital technology and economy. With the abundant opportunities in digital technology, Nigerian youths can use it for national development and not for internet scam and other vices. Beyond this, the youths should be encouraged to be more engaged in leadership matters and agriculture. It is therefore commendable that the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library has concluded plans to train the youths in cassava farming. Apart from empowering them, it will contribute to the nation’s food security. Making farming attractive to the youths will reduce the hunger in the country.
The federal government’s preparedness to empower the youths through digital innovation is timely and laudable. However, the sub-national governments should emulate the central government in this regard. In 2023, Nigeria had the largest population of youths in the world with a median age of 18.1 years. 70 per cent of the population is under 30, while 42 per cent is under 15. Nevertheless, unemployment remains the biggest challenge of Nigerian youths.
Since the development of Africa lies in its youths, governments in Africa must prioritize the development of the youths by investing massively in them through quality education and industry experience. To achieve the AU’s Agenda 2063 of economic development, including the eradication of poverty within one generation, the youths in Africa must embrace digital technology and innovation. Africa must be part of the growing global digital revolution. The world cannot wait for us.
Since access to quality education, healthcare, and job opportunities are some of the emerging challenges that confront young people, the federal and state governments should provide young people with the necessary tools, resources and support to empower them to overcome these challenges and achieve their full potential. The growing number of Nigerian youths using the internet ought to be a major plus for the country’s digital economy. Available data revealed that there were 103.0 million internet users in Nigeria at the start of 2024, with internet penetration standing at 45.5 per cent.
Nigeria is home to 36.75 million social media users, equating to 16.2 per cent of the total population. About 205.4 million cellular mobile connections are active in Nigeria, which is 90.7 per cent of the population. More than other age categories, Nigerian youths are highly engrossed on the internet. Nigeria urgently needs digital innovation to revamp the economy. Digital platforms focusing on enhancing learning for agriculture and linking farmers and buyers should be harnessed. Nigerian youths have done well in creating digital content. Diversifying and exploiting wider opportunities with digital technology should be encouraged.
Besides exploiting the digital technology and innovation, the youths should determine their future through active participation in politics. The youths seem to be satisfied with being personal assistants to politicians or serving as their thugs instead of calling the shots. The youths should redefine their future by emulating past Nigerian leaders such as Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and others who led the country in their youths.