RE-EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTH IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The prevailing political, economic and social cultural situations in Nigeria currently have made the re-evaluation of the role of the Nigerian youths in national development imperative. Recent happenings particularly the 2023 general elections and the high level of youth unemployment have raised many pertinent questions especially the place of the youth and their take with regard to the future development of this country. The Nigerian political space is dominated by old and almost senile politicians who do not care about the future of the country and her citizens. The same applies to the economic sphere where few old people are holding sway, resulting in the youths resorting to all kinds of economic vices like cybercrime, 419 and money rituals. Even in the sphere of sports, the politicians determine who represents the nation in various games. Merit is jettisoned and sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity, nepotism, religion, ethnicity and godfatherism. The resultant effects are the stagnation and backwardness of the nation. The aim of this paper is to reevaluate the role of the Nigerian youth in national development taking into cognizance the role the youths have played before in championing the cause of national development. The paper employs the philosophical methods of analysis and evaluation to conclude that only a radical philosophy of liberation can salvage the Nigerian youths from this malaise and empower them to play their rightful role in national development.