from Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello
Introduction
I am honoured to stand before you, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, to address you on the menace of youth restiveness in Nigeria, a relevant topic that will examine the root cause of the recurring social crisis that has thrown our dear country into a spate of uncertainty and insecurity in the last decade.
I am delighted to be part of this special occasion – a celebration of the late CHIEF Sobo Sowemimo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and seasoned lawyer whose footprint in the legal landscape of Nigeria remains indelible.
I must admit that I did not have the opportunity to meet Chief Sobowale during his lifetime with most of what I know about him being information glimpsed on the media both during his lifetime and after his passing in 2007. Whether that is an advantage to me as today’s Keynote Speaker or not, I can’t determine, and that makes me somewhat intimidated seeing I will be addressing those who are his acquaintances or have had personal relationship with him during his lifetime.
It is also worth stating that he played a crucial role as a legal luminary advocating for the rights of young people and ensuring that laws protect youth interests in the area of access to education, employment, and political participation that influenced my choice of topic – Curbing Youth Restiveness in the Era of Social and Economic Uncertainties are key to addressing the root causes of restiveness.
Our Reality
This auspicious event is timely as it is coming at a time in the annals of our nation, attesting to the challenges confronting our country, and the need to address these existential threats for the wellbeing and security of our people, particularly our youths.
Youth restiveness can better be understood as a symptom of unmet needs, frustrations, and lack of opportunities. Share on X
For context, let’s consider the following statistics in relation to the topic
i. According to the United Nations Population Fund (2021), Approximately 60% of Nigeria’s population is under the age of 25, which makes Nigeria one of the youngest countries globally.
ii. If you consider our population of over 200 million, this translates to Nigeria having an estimated youth population of over 75 million individuals aged 15 to 24, that is according to the National Population Commission of Nigeria, 2021
iii. The youth unemployment rate in Nigeria according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria, 2023 is about 40% while in the area of access to education, approximately 10.5 million children are out of school in Nigeria, with many being adolescents, hindering future opportunities.
An idle hand is the devil’s workshop.
The Idea of Youth Restiveness “Restiveness” in this discourse means more than civil disobedient actions like protests, sit-ins, demonstrations by the youth to register their displeasure against government policies; it also includes illegal, and often violent activities that are partly an expression of resistance against establishment, and primarily driven by the desperation of the youth to acquire money and by engaging in advance fee fraud, otherwise called “Yahoo Yahoo and Yahoo plus”, kidnapping, banditry, ritual killings, etc.
YOUTH POWER
- In 1967, General Yakubu Gowon, who was then 27 years old, became Nigeria’s youngest head of state during one of the most joyous periods in Nigeria’s history. Despite the immense obstacles in his path, the young general led the nation through the Civil War and, subsequently, laid the foundation for reconstruction and unity. General Gowon’s story is a clear reminder that age is not a barrier to leadership and that young people when empowered, can rise to the occasion and make a profound impact.
Power of Youth in Nation Building - As Nelson Mandela once said, “The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”
But I want to remind you that today’s youth are not just future leaders – they are leaders right now, with the power to shape the destiny of our nation.
It is this power that we must harness and channel in the right direction to break the cycle of restiveness and build a stronger, more united Nigeria.
Understanding Youth Restiveness, Causes and Consequences
The problems of youth restiveness had been linked to chronic deprivation suffered by the youth as a result of lack of opportunities for gainful and productive employment, this often lead to protests, demonstrations, scams and violence. - This protest and civil unrest disrupt the activities of the society and
threatened the legitimacy of the government. - When we talk about youth restiveness, let’s not look too far than October 1 protest that was held in some parts of the country. Yes, that protest failed, but let’s look at the August 1 protest before then during which some people called for the overthrow of a legitimate government.
- While it might be argued that there were good reasons to hold the government to account on state of the nation, it would appear that some people took advantage of the frustration of the youth to sponsor crisis in some parts of the country.
One of the major factors of youth restiveness in Nigeria is a high rate of
unemployment, and another is illiteracy or lack of quality education.
PREVALENCE OF YOUTH RESTIVENSS
Northeast: 33%/
High prevalence: Boko Haram insurgency, High rate of poverty and unemployment
North Central 56%/
Ethnic tensions and farmer/herder conflicts, high unemployment rate
Northwest 40%
Banditry and Insecurity
South-West 76%
Economic disparity and cultural movements (EndSars)
South-East 70%
Political Marginalization, unemployment and economic challenges (Biafra Agitations)
South-South 65%
Resource Control and environmental Degradation, militancy - Source: NBS (2022) Education Statistics in Nigeria
From the foregoing, it can be established that youth restiveness, apart from being rooted in regional socio-economic conditions also thrives in environments where education accessibility is low and where poverty is high. - In a country where a large percentage of the population lives below the poverty line, lack basic necessities and are denied access to opportunities, this extreme alienation aggravated feelings of marginalization among the youth. When young people feel excluded from the economic and social systems, they are more likely to engage in actions that express their discontent.
- According to the World Bank projections, about 40.7 % of Nigerian are estimated to live below the poverty line by the end of 2024, majority of whom are young people considering the predominantly young Nigerian population (World Bank)
- Political disenfranchisement of the youth can also be blamed for the increasing restiveness in the land. This sense of disaffection can lead to a lack of trust in the government and a willingness to challenge the status quo through protests and other forms of resistance.
- Social media has also enhanced the ability of the youth to register their displeasure with their harsh conditions.
Promoting youth participation in governance through initiatives such as youth councils, mentorship programmes, and platforms allow young people to engage with policymakers to contribute to decision-making processes Share on XWhat began as a movement against police brutality, particularly the abuses committed by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), quickly snowballed into a broader expression of youth frustration with systemic issues in the country. The protests saw thousands of young Nigerians taking to the streets, demanding not only an end to police brutality but also calling for better governance, accountability, and reforms across various sectors. The #EndSARS movement highlighted the deep-seated anger and disappointment among Nigerian youths. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, the protesters were met with a heavy-handed response by security personnel, culminating in the tragic events at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020, where security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters. This incident further intensified feelings of restiveness and reinforced the perception of a government that is out of touch with the needs and aspirations of its young citizens. When young people feel marginalized and unheard, they are more likely to engage in actions that disrupt the social order, demanding change by any means necessary. The movement also underscores the need for meaningful engagement with the youth, and the necessity of addressing their concerns, and empowering them to be active participants in nation-building.
What is the ideal situation? A Youth population that is engaged, productive and contributes to national growth.
We see a lot of obscenities in the social media perpetuated by our adults. This should not be the case. Share on X
Empowering the youth who constitute over 60% of Nigeria’s population is not just a moral obligation; it is a strategic imperative for nation-building.
Empowering the youth with education, vocational training and entrepreneurial opportunities can drive economic growth, foster social cohesion, and contribute to sustainable development.
The youths need to be equipped with skills they need to achieve their full potential and participate actively in the development of their nation.
Education is the most powerful tool for youth empowerment.
According to UNESCO, every additional year of schooling increases a person’s earnings by up to 10%, and the impact is even greater for women.
In Nigeria, however, the educational system faces significant challenges including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure and a high rate of out- of-school children, estimated at 18.3 million aged 6-14 in 2024 (The Punch);
These challenges must be addressed urgently with, among other things, vocational training and skills development as well as training in technology, agriculture and other key sectors can help bridge the skills gap and prepare young Nigerians for the workforce.
Those of us who hold position of responsibility over the youths must do so knowing that the future is at stake. Let's bear in mind that the same public funds with which we refuse to educate the youths today is what we will use to fight… Share on X
Empowerment enhances political and social inclusion.
Young people must have a voice to decide matters that affect their lives and future. In Nigeria, despite a modest gain in the youth’s participation in politics, this has been reversed in recent years according to the data available.
For example, in 2015, 3 out of 360 members of House of Representatives were youth between the ages of 18 -35 years, representing 0.3% of elected representatives, compared to the higher figures in State Houses of Assembly with 57 youth (6%) occupying seats out of 993 state constituency seats (International IDEA);
Unfortunately, an analysis of the 2023 elections by the same body indicates a decline in youth
candidacy from 34% in the 2019 general elections to 26.6% in 2023 general elections (ibid.).
The passage of the “Not Too Young to Run” bill in 2018 was a significant step toward increasing youth participation in governance, though this has not opened the political space to the young people. This suggests that there is more to inclusivity than lowering the age requirement for various political offices.
Broader reforms like independence candidacy and criminalization of vote buying, among other
changes, will open the political to young Nigerians.
Entrepreneurship is also a key driver of economic empowerment.
Providing young people with the resources and support to start and grow their businesses can create a new generation of job creators rather than job seekers.
The Bank of Industry Nigeria’s Youth Entrepreneurship Support Programme (YES-P) is one of many initiatives by the government to address the worrisome phenomenon of youth unemployment in Nigeria.
The programme aims to develop the capacity of Nigerian youth to initiate and fund their business ideas and has, since its establishment, disbursed billions of Naira to beneficiaries (boi.com).
Additionally, increased availability of technology and digital platforms offers new opportunities for youth entrepreneurs to leverage these platforms to create innovative solutions and contribute to the digital economy.
Strategies for Curbing Youth Restiveness
- Curbing youth restiveness requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of dissatisfaction and frustration among young people. These demands implementing targeted strategies that empower the youth, reduce the factors that lead to restiveness and create a more stable and prosperous society. Below are some key strategies for achieving this goal:
Enhancing Education and skills developmentEducation, a powerful resource for empowerment, is an antidote to youth restiveness. Improving access to quality education at all levels through increased funding for infrastructure and facilities, will ensure that education is inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic background.
Promoting Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship
Policies that prioritize job creating especially for young people through public works programmes, provision of incentives for, and investments in industries can create jobs on a large scale such as agriculture and renewable energy can enhance opportunities for the youth.
Young Nigerians can be empowered to start and grow their businesses through programmes like the Youth Entrepreneurship Support (YES) Programme, etc.
Strengthening Political and Civic Engagement
Many youths feel disenfranchised in the political space. Promoting youth participation in governance through initiatives such as youth councils, mentorship programmes, and platforms allow young people to engage with policymakers to contribute to decision-making processes.
The “Not Too Young to Run” campaign is a positive example of
how youth can be integrated into the political system.
In addition, civic education programmes that teach young people about their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of active citizenship can empower them to engage constructively in society
Leveraging Technology and Innovation
In today’s digital age, technology can be a powerful tool for empowerment.
Promoting digital literacy and ensuring that young people have access to the internet and digital tools can open up new opportunities for learning, entrepreneurship, and promote civic engagement.
Programmes that provide free or subsidized internet access, especially in rural areas, can help bridge the digital divide and empower more young people.
Conclusion
- So far, I have explored the deep-rooted issue of youths’ restiveness as an unintended but inevitable outcome of social and economic alienation suffered by them. This suggests that youth restiveness can better be understood as a symptom of unmet needs, frustrations, and lack of opportunities.
- Empowering the youth through increased access to education, employment, political engagement and social inclusion not only opens a pathway to personal success but also creates an essential pillar for a strong and united Nigeria.
In addition, I have also highlighted practical strategies for curbing youth restiveness, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses both the causes and consequences of youth disenfranchisement.
To the young people here today,
I say this: You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are also the leaders of today.
The future of our nation is in your hands. Embrace your role as nation builders with optimism and determination, and eschew restiveness no matter its allure; instead, be known for your actions and positive contributions to society.
As Nelson Mandela rightly said,
“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”
- I challenge you to be the leaders who are not afraid to take risks, who are
ready to innovate and drive change.
To the participants
- Curbing Youth restiveness above all else started from the home front. Families must take responsibility for how their young people turn out.
- Parents must show examples in good conduct and proper behaviour. We see a lot of obscenities in the social media perpetuated by our adults. This should not be the case.
- Social bodies like this must make Youth empowerment a core of their vision. Following the dreams of Chief Sobowale, we must look at initiatives that empower Youth and limit their free time for restiveness.
To the Government - Good governance is key. Our policies must be people driven, aimed only to better the lot of the masses. James Clarke says, “A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.”
- Those of us who hold position of responsibility over the youths must do so knowing that the future is at stake. Let’s bear in mind that the same public funds with which we refuse to educate the youths today is what we will use to fight insecurity in future.
- I thank you all for your attention and commitment to the social progress of the Nigerian youth. Though the challenges are enormous, there are immense opportunities in harnessing the potential of our youth population.
I close this address with the sagely words of Mahatma Gandhi:
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”