The Youth as Nigeria’s Last Hope: Why Young Nigerians Must Lead the Path to Change
By Wilson Macaulay
In a nation blessed with abundant resources but plagued by poverty, corruption, and mismanagement, one group truly holds the key to Nigeria’s transformation: the youth. They are not just the future; they are the present—the very lifeblood of a nation longing for change. The youth of Nigeria must rise to lead the path to a new era. They are the last hope in a country where the old systems have failed, where the status quo has perpetuated inequality and hindered progress. History has shown that every significant revolution, from Russia to America, was driven by young people. Nigeria’s youth must learn from these historical movements and become the vanguards of the nation’s transformation.
A History of Youth-Led Revolutions
Throughout history, youth have been at the forefront of revolutionary change. The Bolsheviks, predominantly young people, led the Russian Revolution of 1917, overthrowing the Romanov dynasty and reshaping Russia into a new socialist state. The Bolsheviks were not satisfied with mere reform; they sought an entirely new system, one that reflected their ideals of equality and justice. Their boldness and courage to challenge the entrenched order are a testament to what young people can achieve when they stand united.
In America, the Libertatians (Liberty Brothers, )most of them young, people played a critical role in the American Revolution. They spearheaded protests against British tyranny, fought bravely in the war for independence, and laid the foundation for what would become a global superpower. Their fight was for liberty, for justice, and for the future of a nation. Similarly, the Jacobins, young radicals in France, led the French Revolution. They challenged the absolute monarchy, demanded equality, and played a significant role in establishing a republic.
Even in England, the Puritans, many of them youth, played an integral part in the English Revolution, challenging the monarchy and contributing to the establishment of a parliamentary democracy. These young revolutionaries were driven by ideals of justice, freedom, and equality—principles that should guide Nigerian youth today. Yes indeed ideas rules the world.
Rejecting the Corrupt Systems of the Past
Nigeria’s current situation mirrors the pre-revolution conditions in these historical contexts mentioned, England, France, Russia America.
In Nigeria today widespread corruption, inequality, and disenfranchisement is the order of the day.
The older generations, entrenched in the politics of greed, have perpetuated systems that serve their interests at the expense of the masses. As Chinua Achebe said in The Vanguard Book of Quotes, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” This failure of leadership is a direct consequence of corruption, a lack of vision, and the entrenchment of old ways.
The youth must reject these corrupt systems that have held the nation hostage for decades. They must refuse to be complicit in perpetuating a cycle of mediocrity, where personal gain trumps national interest. Young Nigerians have the numbers, the energy, and the creativity to break away from these chains and chart a new course for the country. According to DR Daniel Olukoya
the General Overseer of MFM, in one of his books strongly advocated that slaves should not love their chains. The Youth must demand accountability, transparency, and justice from their leaders, and anything short of that is an error of judgment.
Embracing Activism, Innovation, and Integrity
To lead this path to the new Nigeria of our dream,, young Nigerians must embrace activism, innovation, and integrity. Activism will be the driving force behind the movement for change. Every positive change and new era begins with a collective consciousness—an awakening to the realities of the pedagogy of the oppression and a unified demand for change. Nigerian youth must engage in activism that challenges the status quo, whether through peaceful protests, advocacy, or participating in political processes with a good dose of civility and tenacity.
Innovation is also crucial. The world is changing rapidly, and Nigeria’s youth must harness technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship to build a sustainable future. They must think beyond the traditional ways of doing things and embrace new ideas and solutions such as Artificial Intelligence AI.From tech startups to social enterprises, young Nigerians are already leading in innovation. This spirit must be nurtured and expanded to include every aspect of national life.
Integrity non-negotiable.
Nigeria’s history is littered with leaders who, despite their promises of change, fell into the same corrupt practices they once criticized. The youth must not repeat these mistakes. They must lead with integrity, prioritizing the collective good over personal interests. As Vanguard quotes warn, “Corruption, like a cancer, eats away the soul of the nation.” The fight against corruption starts with individual commitment to integrity.
Shaping a Better Future
The revolution Nigeria needs is not just a political one; it is a societal transformation, moral regeneration.It is about creating a country where every citizen has equal opportunities, where justice prevails, and where the youth are empowered to reach their full potential. The youth must shape this future by being actively involved in decision-making processes, by running for political offices, and by holding leaders accountable.
The time for complacency is over. The youth must recognize that they are the last hope for Nigeria. They must rise to the challenge, driven by the examples of young revolutionaries in history, and lead the nation towards a brighter future. As Achebe once said, “The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example.” The youth must rise to this responsibility, setting the personal example that will inspire the nation.
Nigeria’s transformation will not come from the old guard—it will come from the youth. They are the revolutionaries, the innovators, the activists who will lead Nigeria into a new era. The time is now for young Nigerians to take their place as leaders and agents of change. The future of the nation rests in our
hands. Whatever we do today Will shape our destiny tomorrow, the choice is ours.
The Prism of The Ruled
Anchored By
Comrade Wilson Macaulay
