They say we are lazy.
They say we are always in a hurry to make money.
They call us fraudsters, criminals, and the get-rich-quick generation.
But do they see us? Do they truly understand what it means to grow up in a country where the system is rigged against you from birth? Do they know what it feels like to live in a nation that demands resilience but offers little in return?
But do they ever pause to see the hurdles we face daily? Do they ever reflect on the systemic failures that stifle our potential and drive many of us into desperation?
This is not just another lament—it is the heart cry of the Nigerian youth: a generation born into struggle, raised in hardship, and betrayed by a system that has repeatedly failed them. A cry for empowerment, fairness, and the opportunity to rise above the ashes of a system designed to fail us.
In Nigeria, growing up means learning early that life is tough. For many of us, paying school fees was a battle. Some of Nigerian Youths sold pure water on the streets, worked as laborers, or did odd jobs just to stay in school. And when we managed to scrape together enough to get an education, the challenges didn’t stop there.
We studied in overcrowded classrooms with outdated textbooks. We sat through lectures in poorly ventilated halls, taught by unpaid, unmotivated teachers. Some of us skipped meals for days because our parents couldn’t afford food and school fees at the same time. Yet, we held on, believing that education would be our ticket out of poverty.
But after graduation, the harsh reality hit. Jobs were scarce, and those available were not given based on merit but connections. Unless you were the child of a politician or someone influential, your qualifications didn’t matter. We submitted countless applications that went unanswered while watching our peers with the right last names walk into lucrative jobs.
Many of us didn’t give up. We channeled our frustration into creativity, coming up with business ideas that could solve problems and add value to the economy. We envisioned startups, small businesses, and initiatives that could create jobs, not just for ourselves but for others. But even here, the odds were stacked against us.
Banks asked for collateral we couldn’t provide. Grants were awarded to the well-connected. Government programs aimed at “empowering youths” were riddled with corruption. Despite our innovation and resilience, the lack of support left us stranded. Our dreams, once bright, started to dim.
Many of us dared to dream. Despite the odds, we ventured into business with sincerity of heart, using borrowed funds to initiate something meaningful. Yet, one failed attempt often earns us a harsh label—scammer, fraudster, or incompetent. It is as if society has forgotten that failure is part of the journey to success.
Did they not know that many of the billionaires they celebrate today failed multiple times before finding their footing? Instead of support and encouragement, we are burdened with condemnation.
Yet, for the privileged few, failure is seen as a stepping stone. Their mistakes are glossed over because their safety nets are strong—backed by wealth and influence. For us, one misstep often means the end of the road.
Meanwhile, the children of the elite lived a different reality. They attended prestigious schools abroad and graduated into ready-made jobs with benefits. They didn’t need to worry about funding a startup or finding employment. For them, life was a smooth ride, paved with opportunities and privilege.
What is most painful is the lack of recognition. Despite the struggles we endure, the sacrifices we make, and the innovations we create, we remain invisible. Leaders label us as “lazy youths” without addressing the systemic failures that push many to desperation.
It is hard to stay lawful in a country where survival is a daily struggle. It is even harder to hold on to hope when you realize that the system is designed to exclude you. And when you try to advocate for change, your voice is ignored, dismissed as the ramblings of an entitled generation.
Despite the challenges, my fellow youths, I appeal to you: do not give up. Do not relent. Do not lose focus on your dreams. I know the temptations are strong.
“Yahoo Yahoo Plus” is not an option. Prostitution is not an option.
I understand the desperation that leads some to these paths. I know many who turned to such acts, not out of choice, but out of hunger, joblessness, and despair. But it is never too late to turn a new leaf. You are not defined by your past mistakes. There is still hope for a better future if we remain steadfast.
We cannot fail the coming generation, even if our leaders have failed us. Let us be deliberate in focusing on our goals and in lending our voices for the coming generation.
Politics, the supposed tool for progress, has become a reward system for party loyalists. How can we expect results when those in power lack the passion to understand the heart cry of the Nigerian youth? How can we believe in a system where leadership is seen as an entitlement and not a responsibility?
I initiated a project to help children return to school—a cause born from my own struggles to afford out of school children. Yet, my pleas for more external support to those in power were met with silence. The same leaders who ignore these calls are quick to wage media battles against rival parties, showing more concern for political victories than for the plight of the people.
Nigeria’s leaders need to understand that empowerment is not charity—it is an investment in the future of the nation. Building infrastructure and announcing billion-dollar projects mean little if the youth are left behind. Here is what we need:
1. Accessible Education: A quality education system where no child is left behind because of their inability to pay school fees. Schools should be equipped with modern facilities and competent teachers who are paid well and on time.
2. Merit-Based Opportunities: Recruitment into government and private sectors must prioritize merit over nepotism. Transparent systems should be put in place to ensure that everyone gets a fair chance.
3. Youth Entrepreneurship Support: Establish grant programs and funding schemes for young entrepreneurs, free from corruption and favoritism. Provide access to training, mentorship, and resources to help businesses thrive.
4. Good Governance: Leaders must prioritize the welfare of citizens, ensuring that policies are made with the people in mind, not just the privileged few. Accountability and transparency should be the bedrock of governance.
5. Youth Inclusion in Leadership: Young people must be included in decision-making processes. The solutions to our challenges are best developed by those who understand them firsthand.
To the leaders of this nation, we, the youths, are not asking for handouts. We are asking for a chance to thrive. A chance to turn our dreams into reality. A chance to contribute to building a Nigeria we can all be proud of.
You hold the power to change the narrative. Start by listening to us, supporting our initiatives, and creating opportunities that are accessible to all. Remember, the struggling youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow. The strength of this nation depends on how well you empower us now.
Despite everything, we have not given up. We are resilient, resourceful, and determined. But we cannot do it alone. We need a government that believes in us, a society that supports us, and leaders who understand that the success of the youth is the success of Nigeria.
My fellow youths, let us not lose sight of the bigger picture. While we demand change from our leaders, we must also hold ourselves accountable. We must reject shortcuts and work tirelessly to build a future we can be proud of.
Together, we must continue to hope, strive, and speak up—not just for ourselves, but for the generation that will come after us. If we don’t fight for change today, who will fight for them tomorrow?
To our leaders, we say: the time for deliberate action is now.
To my fellow youths, I say: let us rise above our challenges and remain strong.
This is our heart cry, and it is one that must be heard.
Will you hear us? Will you act?
Dr. Tofunmi Ogunronbi
A Voice for the Forgotten Nigerian Youths
