Living things by virtue of their predisposition exhibit many behaviors that profoundly reflect their peculiar nature. Certain characteristics have come to be associated with them, some of which include movement, reproduction, nutrition, growth, respiration, and so on. The reproductive ability of living things, particularly homo-sapiens has made the continuity of this specie possible. This is very much tangible in the existence of the human race today. Due to the genetic factor, offspring often have a semblance to their parents, and they are seen by them as their successors. Over the years, mixed opinions have been held with respect to the youth, and this is mainly caused by the inclination of humans to actively continue in existence even when old age/death beckons and the realization of the irrevocable fact that change is constant. Thus, this has strangely been a subject of debate in some quarters of the world like Nigeria, where its current state of affairs concurrently says the youths are and are not the leaders of tomorrow.

Most Nigerians have argued persistently that youths have no notable place in tomorrow’s scheme of things chiefly because of the negligence and indifference they are treated with by those who are the leaders of today. And that the phrase ceaselessly uttered by today’s leaders at every given opportunity that youths are the leaders of tomorrow is a white lie; a harmless lie told to youths in order not to hurt their feelings because they, leaders of today, aren’t ready to relinquish the reins of leadership to them even when their time to lead comes. Taking cognizance of the dictum that says “Actions speak louder than words,” one can explicitly see that little or no provision is made to adequately and properly prepare Nigerian youths for the demanding task of steering the ship of tomorrow. Education is one of the media via which the government can mentor them, largely as a result of its capacity to sufficiently contribute to the expansion of their knowledge horizon. Regrettably, the educational system despite all the brandished policies and programs orchestrated by the government to salvage it from mediocrity is still at low ebb. This to an extent proffers an explanation to the large number of ignorant Nigerian graduates that yearly flood the labor market.

Politically, Nigerian youths are short-changed by most of the elders, who happen to occupy sensitive political positions in government and outside, as they are incessantly relegated to the background for ludicrous and unresonable reasons. Though there are laid down rules in place that specify the legal age for contesting for various political positions in Nigeria, compliance to the enacted has, to an extent, for quite a long time been far from reality. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stipulates that 35 years is the minimum and legally acceptable age for vying for the office of governor. How many political parties in Nigeria have actually given young men and women beaming with vision and vigor around this age range the opportunity to reach for the governorship seat in any state? Few or none.

Economically, a considerable number of Nigerian youths who laboriously ensured they end up as graduates are sadly now made to dine with hunger and penury. Even with the mind-blowing qualifications on display, the paucity of good jobs in the country label them redundant. In times the Nigerian government made concerted efforts to reverse this trend, some inconsiderate and dubious politicians hijack the programs, extort from unsuspecting job applicants, and use it as a means of filling their bottomless pockets. The SURE-P (Subsidy Reinvestment and Employment Programme) scheme put in motion by the Jonathan administration, wherein the sum of N50, 000 was included as a prerequisite by a number of its officials for getting a non-existing job, drives this point home. A lot of job applicants hurriedly paid, not knowing that they were being defrauded. Feasting on the desperation and helplessness of job-seeking youths is typical of heartlessness. A hungry man is an angry man, and one must first survive and live before he can dive into the ocean of possibilities of tomorrow. More power to the elbow of the present administration that has shown concern by introducing the N-Power programe to alleviate graduates' plight.

However, considering this status-quo, one may hastily write off the truism of the assertion that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. But the ineluctable reality remains that the youths are indeed the leaders of tomorrow. A major factor militating against this is the unpleasant way youths are marginalized and restricted to the backseat. Notwithstanding these circumstances, Nigerian youths are still the future leaders of Nigeria whether anyone likes it or not. And this is neither a lie nor a white one. Challenges and obstacles are inseperable parts of life and should be faced fearlessly with the optimism of victory at the end of the day.

Rather than sitting down with folded arms blaming and cursing the government, Nigerian youths should resort to self-examination, self-discovery, and self-management. This involves thoroughly evaluating oneself to discern one’s natural strength, and subsequently nurturing and honing it by engaging in that venture that illumines one’s strengths. Doing so affords one with higher chances of achieving uncommon success, bettering his financial fortunes and life, and fostering the cause of human development. More so, a youth can use his breakthrough to ensure that the affairs and welfare of youths are up there in the government’s scale of preference by civilly putting pressure on the government, and contribute his or her quota toward the sustainable development of youths in the country. Toeing this line would entail that the youths of Nigeria have put their destiny in their own hands and are cementing their position as proactive and problem-solving leaders of tomorrow.

Kaycee Naze is a philosopher and socio-political analyst writing from Lagos.

Which of the youth are u talking about? The copy and paste nigerian youth, ignorant generation, whose only reasoning of having an internet connected phone is for bbm, Snapchat, istagram and what have u?. Youths who don't have their own independent mind. willing pawns in the hands of ruling class, tools of political, ethnic and religious manipulation. Generation of people who don't believe in hardwork, that's why they all venture into politics for quick money, youths who can't ask question, challenge of hold their leaders accountable for their actions. My bro, this country is in deep shit.

jerusalem101:
Which of the youth are u talking about? The copy and paste nigerian youth, ignorant generation, whose only reasoning of having an internet connected phone is for bbm, Snapchat, istagram and what have u?. Youths who don't have their own independent mind. willing pawns in the hands of ruling class, tools of political, ethnic and religious manipulation. Generation of people who don't believe in hardwork, that's why they all venture into politics for quick money, youths who can't ask question, challenge of hold their leaders accountable for their actions. My bro, this country is in deep shit.

My brother, I feel your disgust. There is no doubt youths are somewhat part of the problem. This shouldn't warrant us to embrace pessimism and despondency. Amongst the eggs, there are still good ones that understand the indispensable role of the youth and are committed to developing themselves to live up to expectations whenever duty calls. May God help us.

It has become a white and black lie ever since the youths decided to replace their logical reasoning with sentiment and disgusting tribalism