The power of youth, By Sunday Ogidigbo
Nigeria’s young population is a call to action. It is a reminder that the time to invest, nurture, and empower is now. Education must be reimagined to reach every child, particularly those in underserved regions and public schools. Government, private institutions, and communities must work together to create systems that identify talent early, mentor it, and provide pathways for development. By doing so, Nigeria will not only harness the power of its youth but also create a society where innovation, creativity, and excellence are the norm.
Nigeria is a young country — one of the youngest in the world. With a median age of just over 18 years, more than half of the population is in the prime of learning, creating, and innovating. This demographic reality should be a tremendous advantage, yet the truth is sobering: a significant portion of Nigeria’s youth, particularly in the northern regions and among the poor, remains uneducated or undereducated. Millions of potential doctors, engineers, lawyers, and innovators are locked out of opportunities, leaving the nation to wrestle with unrealised potential.
History teaches a powerful lesson about the transformative power of education and opportunity. Winston Churchill’s father once assisted the son of a humble farmer to access education — a decision that seemed small at the time. That young man went on to become Alexander Fleming, the scientist who discovered penicillin, saving millions of lives worldwide. The story underscores a profound truth: When talent is nurtured and given access to learning, the outcomes can be extraordinary, far beyond what anyone might have imagined.
Nigeria has hundreds of thousands of potential “Flemings” waiting to emerge. But the current reality is challenging. Most children from poor families in public schools are not receiving the quality education they deserve. Teachers are often under-resourced, classrooms overcrowded, and learning materials scarce. As a result, many young Nigerians graduate with minimal skills or critical thinking abilities, unprepared to compete in a modern, knowledge-driven economy. This must change. Every child, regardless of background, deserves access to high-quality education, mentorship, and opportunities that can unlock their God-given potential.
Investment in education is not charity, it is a strategic national imperative. Quality schools, vocational training, digital literacy programmes, and scholarship initiatives, can equip young people to compete globally. By ensuring that all children, especially those from underserved communities, have access to meaningful learning, Nigeria can convert its demographic advantage into economic, social, and technological power.
Our youth dividend is both a blessing and a responsibility. Left uneducated and unsupported, it can become frustration, unemployment, and social instability. Properly nurtured, it becomes creativity, innovation, and global influence. The private sector has already begun to lead, especially in technology, entertainment, and sports, but the government must now throw its weight behind these efforts.
Nigeria’s youth are not just a workforce; they are trendsetters, innovators, and cultural ambassadors. In technology, young Nigerians are creating fintech platforms, health-tech solutions, agri-tech applications, and educational tools tailored for Africa. Nollywood and the music industry have become global phenomena, projecting Nigerian stories, sounds, and culture onto the world stage. Our athletes are gaining international recognition, and tourism initiatives led by local communities are attracting attention to Nigeria’s natural beauty and heritage. These are the signs of a young nation quietly carving its niche, often without substantial government support.
Yet, the potential of these sectors can only be fully realised if government and private institutions collaborate effectively. Strategic policies, incentives, and infrastructure investment can accelerate the growth of tech hubs, industrial parks, creative industries, and tourism initiatives. By partnering with innovators, entrepreneurs, and educators, Nigeria can scale achievements already underway, turning local successes into national and global influence.
The prophetic principle is clear: God raises nations as He raises men. Just as Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s broken walls with vision, discipline, and courage, Nigeria can reconstruct its systems to empower its youth. The story of Churchill and Fleming reminds us that investing in talent — even those who seem ordinary or disadvantaged — can produce breakthroughs that transform societies. Nigeria has hundreds of thousands of potential “Flemings” and “Churchills” within its borders; the challenge is to provide them with opportunities, guidance, and education.
Our youth dividend is both a blessing and a responsibility. Left uneducated and unsupported, it can become frustration, unemployment, and social instability. Properly nurtured, it becomes creativity, innovation, and global influence. The private sector has already begun to lead, especially in technology, entertainment, and sports, but the government must now throw its weight behind these efforts. Policies, funding, and infrastructure support can turn Nigeria’s youth from a population statistic into a generational force for national transformation.
Nigeria’s destiny is unique, not merely to copy other nations but to fulfill its God-given purpose. Our youth are central to this destiny. By empowering them through quality education, opportunity, and guidance, Nigeria can rise as a young nation that leads, inspires, and transforms — not only its economy but also its moral and cultural influence globally.
The potential is not abstract; it is actionable. Mega infrastructure projects, industrial parks, and agro-industrial initiatives can provide practical opportunities for young Nigerians. Technology hubs can be incubators for innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. Creative industries such as film, music, and digital arts can export culture and generate wealth. Sports and tourism initiatives can attract global attention, create employment, and reinforce national pride. All of these sectors rely on a well-educated, motivated, and empowered youth population.
Nigeria’s young population is a call to action. It is a reminder that the time to invest, nurture, and empower is now. Education must be reimagined to reach every child, particularly those in underserved regions and public schools. Government, private institutions, and communities must work together to create systems that identify talent early, mentor it, and provide pathways for development. By doing so, Nigeria will not only harness the power of its youth but also create a society where innovation, creativity, and excellence are the norm.
The world is watching Africa, and Africa is watching Nigeria. If we succeed, we set a template for the continent; if we fail, the hopes of an African century are postponed. Nigeria’s destiny is unique, not merely to copy other nations but to fulfill its God-given purpose. Our youth are central to this destiny. By empowering them through quality education, opportunity, and guidance, Nigeria can rise as a young nation that leads, inspires, and transforms — not only its economy but also its moral and cultural influence globally.
History shows that nations are shaped not by fate but by choices. Nigeria stands at the threshold of transformative choices. By investing in education, supporting underserved children, developing homegrown sectors in technology, entertainment, sports, and tourism, and fostering ethical and visionary leadership, Nigeria can turn its demographic advantage into a generational force. The question will no longer be whether Nigeria can rise, it will be whether any nation can match Nigeria’s God-ordained destiny.
Sunday Ogidigbo is Senior Pastor of Holyhill Church, Abuja. He writes on faith, leadership, and the intersection of spirituality and culture. X/Instagram/Facebook: @SOgidigbo. Email: [email protected]