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BY BOLAJI AFOLABI

Globally, with an estimated number of about 2 billion, which represents about 25 percent of the entire world population, youths command strategic position. Given their huge numbers, energies, and strength, they play a special role in every development initiative across the world. As drivers of change and development, imbued with multifaceted dynamism, youths are involved in clear-cut actions and activities that impact positively on varied strata of the society. Over the years, globally, youths are engaged in efforts geared towards achieving sustainable development and democracy. These include using their knowledge and skills in achieving, preserving, and sustaining democratic processes; canvassing and promoting inter-generational equity; driving resourceful innovative initiatives towards political stability, and socio-economic development; pioneering realistic and achievable solutions in addressing developmental challenges in local, and vulnerable communities.

Realizing the importance of youths in growth and development, many countries make deliberate efforts, and take specific decisions by involving them in every way possible. The United States of America, United Kingdom, China, Japan, United Arab Emirates and few other countries are daily, making humongous discoveries, and breaking new grounds in various fields as a result of conscious and deliberate investments in their respective youth population. These countries and others across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Caribbeans have emplaced policies and programmes that provide necessary platforms for youth’s participation in development processes. Strategies evolved in enhancing youth participation include harnessing information technology; inclusion in decision-making and higher responsibilities; collaboration and inter-connection; quality training and education; access to financial services, grants, and scholarship.

Indeed, some African countries are taking useful tips, and progressive-driven cues from the positive narratives in nations earlier discussed. From reports, Morocco, Rwanda, Namibia, and a few others; registering meaningful development, and attracting global recognition have youths as the pillars of their respective feats. From digital technologies to agriculture and tourism. Not forgetting engineering, innovations, health, and other massive revenue yielding enterprises. More importantly, there are reports that youths are engaged in policy ideation, and programme execution at different stages of governance. Little wonder, human movements, across the world to some of these countries increases on a regular basis.

Perhaps it is pertinent to ask, what is our story? Sadly, there is no data about the factual population and percentage of youths in Nigeria. However, there seems to be a unanimity of opinion that about 40 percent of the county’s population is made up of youths. So, how well have we deployed the significant number towards achieving sustainable development? Have we been fair to the youths? How far has Nigeria helped in re-positioning their gifts and talents for physical development and nation building? Are there laid-down regulations towards helping youths discover, nurture, and deepen their thoughts? Has the government (federal and state) provided the enabling environment for the youths to thrive? What are the measures taken by the government (past and present) towards self-actualization of the dreams of our youths?

Somehow, since the birth of the Fourth Republic in 1999, there has been consistent talk about the place of youths in every national developmental stage. From Olusegun Obasanjo to the late Umaru Musa Yar’adua, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, (and now) Bola Tinubu, every administration, at inauguration, impress Nigerians about their “brilliant” plans for the youths. A school of thought argues that such talks should not be taken seriously because politicians speak in prose and perform in poetry. Another school of thought likened all promises to sweet melodies merely rolled out to titillate and amuse everyone. Yet, a third school of thought strongly believe that, government has never taken the issues of youth development seriously. Some people concluded that embarking on honest, and focussed youth development will translate to not making them readily available “foot soldiers” and “groundsmen” for greedy, power-hungry, and selfish politicians during electioneering campaigns.

From 1999 to 2023, there were no consistent, conscious, and deliberate investments into realistic youth development. Though few lofty plans and ideas were enunciated but, like many things in Nigeria, they ended up at the “dump sites” of history with the emplacement of a new administration. For instance, while Obasanjo had the credit of establishing a full-fledged Youth Ministry, successive administrations; who perhaps had other ideas, and thoughts merged it with sports. Another noticeable flaw was that many of those who served as Ministers were not versed with the language, nuances, and dispositions required for the office. With no prior records of youth activism, and generational experience, interconnectedness was almost non-existent.

However, in spite of the glaring faults in personnel appointments, few achievements were recorded. Between 1999 and 2007, the Obasanjo government developed the National Youth Policy; strengthened the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC); and embarked on education sector reform including the establishment of the Universal Basic Education Commission, (UBEC), and other agencies. The late Yar’adua established the National Youth Council of Nigeria, (NYCN); and launched the Youth Empowerment Scheme to support young entrepreneurs. Jonathan launched the Young Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, (YOUWIN) programme, and developed the National Youth Employment Action Plan. Under Buhari, the National Social Investment Programme, (NSIP) was launched; which by the way was riddled with allegations of reckless profligacy and fundamental malfeasance.

Having espoused the flaws, failings, frailties, and positives of past administrations in the fourth Republic, the question is, has anything changed? Are Nigerian youths holding the bigger part of the stick? Are there hopes for youth inclusivity in the Tinubu administration? Will the present government imbibe the spirit of past administrations? Can the Tinubu administration break away from identified policy inconsistencies of those before it? Can Tinubu inspire confidence among the youths? Can Tinubu elicit measures of believability among Nigerian youths?

While he was Lagos state Governor between 1999 and 2007, Tinubu was serially recognized as the proverbial “fisher of men.” Always eulogized, and almost venerated for his masterful attributes in talent discovery, he had an admixture of old and youthful; as well as experienced and dynamic appointees in his government. Fact is, the likes of Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN); Senator Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Solomon Adeola; Dr. Kayode Opeifa; and many others were young but vibrant, and dynamic men and women who had the opportunity to serve under Tinubu. He was noted, and celebrated as a politician who gives, and provides opportunities for youths to excel in leadership and governance. With his towering credentials, and enviable track records, having emerged as the president, many youths were very expectant. Leaders and members of many youth-based civil society groups looked forward to significant shifts as compared to earlier positioning.

The writer recalls that Tinubu, speaking at one of the youth-based town halls in Lagos during the 2023 electioneering campaigns, was direct and precise in his promise to his enthusiastic audience. His pledge of youth inclusion in appointments, and robust youth development initiatives was well acknowledged by many people who attended the function. Tinubu fulfilled the first leg of his promise when, few months after his inauguration, almost-ten young Nigerians were listed, and took office as Ministers. They included Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Bosun Tijani; Jamila Bio-Ibrahim; Ayodele Olawande; Betta Edu; Hannatu Musa-Musawa. They were deployed to the Interior, Digital Economy, Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management, and Creative Economy Ministries. With these appointments, Tinubu did not just fulfill his promise but also deployed the youths in his cabinet to top-notch, and strategic ministries. That he has subsequently appointed more of this generation thereafter into various positions in MDAs clearly underscores his commitment towards youth inclusion in governance and leadership.

Perhaps the most poignant proof of Tinubu’s passion for youth development are encapsulated in the “Renewed Hope” agenda. The components of the youth development initiatives which focuses on education, employment, entrepreneurship, and housing are geared towards self-reliance, empowerment and skills development of Nigerian youths. The choice of Minister to superintendent youth development was deliberate. Unlike his four predecessors, Tinubu settled for someone who ticks all boxes in terms of age, experience, capacity, capability, competence, and dynamism. Cognisant of the need to have someone with strong background in youth development; strategic involvement in innovation and entrepreneurship, Tinubu’s choice elicited widespread commendation by stakeholders in the youth sector.

When Ayodele Olawande was appointed member of Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council, (FEC) on October 16, 2023; first as Minister of State, Youth, and subsequently the substantive Minister, some Nigerians didn’t know him. But for the youth population, particularly those involved in advocacy and activism, he was a perfect inclusion to Tinubu’s cabinet. Young entrepreneurs; many of whom had positive encounters with him while he functioned as aide to presidential adviser on Innovation, his elevation was described as round peg in round hole. For members of various youth wings of the All Progressives Congress, (APC); where he was the Ondo state Youth Leader, his appointment was described as a reward for hard work, consistency, reliability, and loyalty. Imbued by indomitable spirit, and “I-Can-Do-It” resolves, many stakeholders in the sector agree that the soft-spoken, resourceful, and humble Engineer turned politician has accomplished rare achievements under two years of being Nigeria’s 6th Youth Minister of the fourth Republic.

Conscious of the myriad of challenges facing Nigerian youths, Olawande has spearheaded numerous initiatives and intervention programmes that are not only addressing these issues but yielding positive results. These include facilitating the establishment of Youth House in Abuja, and Youth Centers in all the 36 states; facilitating the establishment of Green House in all 774 Local Government Areas in the country; delivery of CNG-powered Tricycle to about 2,000 informal youths, in partnership with the presidential initiative on CNG; launched the empowerment of about 6 million young people on agriculture through the Young Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme, (YEIDEP). Other are training and employment of about 5,000 youths in the data protection and privacy sector in partnership with the National Data Protection Commission, (NDPC); Leading partnership with the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) to train about 30 million young people in digital literacy; initiated a Youth Internship Programme for experience-gathering, and capacity building for employment opportunities post-national service scheme; initiated the Grassroots Youth Entrepreneurship Support Scheme, (G-YES) for skills, training, and fiscal support to youths in the local communities.

Given the unequivocal private and public commendations Olawande has received from critical stakeholders in the youth sector, one can conclude that his appointment as Tinubu’s anchor for meaningful youth development is well justified. Comrade Godknows Bright said, “since my university days, this is the only Minister that has shown sincere commitment towards addressing the problems of youths in Nigeria.” Abubakar Tanimu, a Kaduna based youth activist declared that, “Olawande operates an open door policy unlike others. He is very accessible, listens, and always open to criticisms.” Ms. Taibat Adebayo believes that, “after every interaction with him at events, he comes across as a true leader in all ramifications.” A staff of the Ministry who pleaded anonymity concluded, “if you go round, majority of staff have positive things to stay about him. Though quiet, easy going, and humble but his capacity for serious work is what many like. Also, he does not joke with staff welfare, and other benefits that will enhance productivity and service delivery.” No doubt, Olawande cannot achieve these milestones without the political will, and support of Tinubu. Also, given the working of government bureaucracy, some top functionaries in other MDAs may have supported Olawande in some ways. But he deserves the bigger encomium for being dogged, steadfast, resilient, resourceful, and focussed in his iron-cast determination to uplift the status of Nigerian youths. Finally, to help the youthful Minister surpass his objectives, the continued understanding and support of relevant MDAs, the legislature, and other stakeholders are necessary.

* BOLAJI AFOLABI, a Development Communications specialist was with the Office of Public Affairs, The Presidency, Abuja.