The Nigerian youth is over 60% of the Nigerian population.  Our population is adequate to enable us achieve whatever we aspire to. Most people come out to insult us that Nigerian youths are not prepared for change. I put forward to say our generation wasn’t part of the generation that destroyed this country but we can bring about the desired change.

Most of the time, we often look away from ourselves in the search for solution to Nigeria’s problem. I am a lady in my early 20’s, my generation has done well for themselves, in every sector in the country but have decided to leave the most important sector.  Take the entertainment industry for example, most artist are under the age of 35 majority of them started as early as the age of 18, Competing with their peers all over Africa and the world at large. They have not only done well for themselves they have also inspired many young ones as well. The IT industry, the media, even the fashion world has been transformed.

Despite the situation of things, most graduate are now entrepreneurs, trying to make a living. Mostyoung people in their mid 20’s and 30’s fight depression caused by the feeling of inadequacy arising from a sense of aimlessness and meaningless in the lives.

I laugh when people describe the Nigerian youth as lazy. They hardly realize the odds stacked against us. Most of those who undermine the Nigerian youths enjoyed several benefits of First Republic’s social, education and economic privileges. They had jobs waiting for them after graduating from school. Every Nigerian youth has a resilient spirit and we are warriors.

We are all failing at one sector which happens to be the most important sector. Just one single right policy can change the lives of millions of people.  Having good policies is where the real change begins. That arena is yearning for our creativity, ideas, enthusiasm, passion, energy and vision

If we sit back and believe this hype that we are the leaders of tomorrow, we will not have a tomorrow to lead.  If we don’t do it now, in 20 years’ time we will all suffer for it. Our unborn kids will suffer because we refuse to act when it was necessary. Like we are suffering because some people were greedy and didn’t do what they ought to at the right time. The problem of Nigeria didn’t start today. The complexity of our problem is as a result of accumulation of simple problems left unsolved hence, the situation we are in now.

The challenges of our great country should afford us the opportunity to make an impacts and change. Don’t keep quiet especially if you can make a difference. The option we will have in 2019,won’t be those on social media, there has to be something on ground. The young generation of Nigeria should begin to think about the future of our great country because Nigeria belongs to us all. If we let the country collapse, we are the people to lose.

We all have potentials to make a difference. Let us all stand up to play our part to create a powerful cascade. I want everyone to contribute in their little way, kudos to those whose efforts are seen, grace to those who are striving to make a difference.

This country will change the day we all have solidarity irrespective of tribe and religion in order to face our common problems.

Our common goal should be how to fix Nigeria, am pleading with you, don’t give up yet. Nigeria must move forward. Don’t think and plan like a loner, there are many like you out there identify likes minds and work together.

Our generation of youths must find and identify her place of relevance in the socio-political and socio-economical reengineering of our society else, we will continue to go on a downward spiral of retrogression while our individual and collective potentials remain untapped. While there is very little inspiration to draw from the present generation of leaders who contributed to the socially, politically and economically depressive state of the country, The Nigerian youths must do critical self-assessment and self-development to attain state of awareness, discipline and enlightenment required to snatch the baton of leadership and steward it for their own good and that of society. The Nigerian youth is doomed if it fails to take up the gauntlet of personal responsibility in charting a course in creating and journeying in the direction of the future she desires.

Oguntade Lola

Lola is a young Nigerian Lady who seeks to utilize all her natural gifts to effect a lasting change in the world’s most populous black nation.