VIOLENCE AND YOUTH RESTIVENESS IN NIGERIA, 1999 -2020: INTERROGATING THE ROLE OF ELITES

Abstract

Violence is not peculiar to Nigeria rather occurs across the globe. More often than not when it occurs, it is driven by youths and undermines the stability, and tranquility needed for national development. There are many factors that could drive youth into restiveness, as its occurrences invoke negative implications both on the youth and the country at large. Many scholars have written extensively on what the potentials, drives and initiatives of youth could mean for nations when streamlined into tangible assets. Similarly, some have extoled on the negative corresponding effects of such huge skills, strengths and other vital qualities when neglected. However, only few have directly examined the corresponding role of elites in the visibly poor conditionings, bad governance, low education, poor investment environment, insecurity and other essential qualities of living that seemingly feed such youth violence for negative ventures despite the opportunities inherent in democratic restoration. This content is descriptive, historical and uses qualitatively analysis of secondary sources of data. The piece sets to examine the role of elites in the downturn actions resulting into youth violence across the nation. It argues that violence in form of protests which got to its peak with the outbreak of Endsars in 2020 staged by youths across the country are premeditated on their perceived deprivations, conditions and marginalization. Finally, it urges elites and citizens at the helms of authority to put the country first in their dealings if they want the country to benefit at both ends from peace and potentials of youths.