Youths As Bedrock Of National Development

Written By Obumnaeme Uukje FRCN Headquarters

Youth is viewed as the time of life when one is young especially the period between childhood and maturity, the early period of existence, growth, or development.

With a large population estimated over two hundred and six in 2020, Nigeria happens to be the most populous country in Africa and ranked seventh in the world list.

The country’s population is growing at about two-point six percent a year, placing it on the top list as one of the fastest rates globally.

Going by this rate, Nigeria’s population could double within the next 25 to 30 years.

Nigeria’s population structure is potentially an economic asset.

About seventy percent of the population are under 30, while forty two percent, are under the age of fifteen.

The size and youthfulness of the population offer great potential to expand Nigeria’s capacity as the regional economic hub of Africa and the entire world.

According to UNICEF, Nigeria accounts for twenty percent of the world’s children who are out of school and about ten point five million children, the majority of whom are girls, do not have access to education, this is a problem confronting the nation.

Another challenge is the Unemployment rate which is at about thirty-three-point-three percent.

Most of those who are unemployed are women and young people and of those with jobs, over twenty percent are underemployed as they don’t earn enough.

Unfortunately, Nigeria is, by every measure of socioeconomic progress, failing to develop her endowment of young people. Millions of young people have a poor quality of life, including lack of education, low living standards and poor health conditions.

Sadly, Nigeria is not reaping the benefits of its current population structure and must do more to mitigate the narrative.

Regrettably, the only time the youths are usually remembered and engaged by politicians is usually during election periods when they can be cajoled and engaged in all manners of bad errands such as snatching of ballot boxes, thuggery and the likes.

It is time the youths began to turn down these requests from greedy politicians and think of positive things to engage in.

They must know that those who engaged them in criminalities had their own children sent overseas for vacation and good lives, while the poor youths are sent on the streets to carry out dirty jobs.

Their children are in good schools abroad or in private universities here in Nigeria.

Interestingly, it is not late for the Nigerian youths to say no to greedy politicians and their gimmicks.

It is not late either to ask them to send their own children to carry out these odd jobs.

It is very important for the Nigerian youths to know that they are the key to the success of this nation and their choice and actions will definitely determine the height the nation will attain.

Edited By Grace Namiji