Stop relying on politicians for money, offer value — Youth minister

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom, has urged Nigerian youths to stop relying on politicians for handouts and instead focus on developing skills and contributing ideas that can drive national development.

He stated this on Saturday in Abuja during an interaction with journalists at the Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria, themed, “The Place of Nigerian Youths in the Political Discussions of 2027 and Beyond.”

In recent times, Nigerian youths have complained about not being given enough political appointments by politicians.

This has generated mixed reactions, as some believe youths deserve more opportunities, while others argue that they should take charge and shape their own destinies.

Wisdom said youths have a key role in building a better country and should prepare for leadership and decision-making rather than depend on politicians for handouts.

He said, “A lot of people don’t look at the vision; they look at immediate gratification. That’s why people come to campaigns just for money. After the campaign, that’s the end. They don’t contribute ideas. So, let’s have something we want to discuss. If you go to a politician and don’t discuss ideas, if you put money first, the politician may give you money, but will ignore you next time.

“So, it’s time for the youth to work for the betterment of the country. Our leaders don’t fight themselves; only the youth fight themselves to please the leaders. So, young people must be part of the decision-making process, not only seeking office appointments.

“I will also add that in the history of Nigeria, this is the only administration that has youth inclusion. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tried to make a commitment to young people. We have ministers who are between 40 and 45. I’m not even up to 40 years myself. My only agenda here is to lay the template for young people to see that they can do it.

“A young person in politics can be anything if he is determined. As a government, we are making plans to ensure jobs are available after the NYSC. That’s why I always think outside the box. It’s high time we started supporting ourselves. We’re not too young to lead. We have to continue supporting ourselves as young people. Youth inclusion is not a favour, it’s a necessity. We need to strategise as young people, just like the elders. You can be in your house and get a skill, instead of relying on politicians.”

Speaking at the event, the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Chairman of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of Political Parties in Nigeria, Eze Chukwu, said Nigerian youths make up over 60 per cent of the population but remain significantly underrepresented in key positions of power and governance.

He said, “As usual, we have watched politicians traverse the country, aligning and realigning ahead of 2027, with no identifiable plan for the youths either before or after the elections. We have also watched the youths fight themselves in defence of these politicians without knowing their place in this whole political discussion ahead of 2027 and beyond.

“Today’s event is not just another political gathering. It is a timely national conversation, a moment of reflection and awakening on the future of Nigerian youths within the political and governance architecture of our dear country. As we all know, any nation that ignores its youth is a nation that has made peace with stagnation. Any country that continuously sidelines the energy, creativity, innovation, courage and strength of its young people is a country that has unconsciously declared war against its own future.

“Nigerian youths today constitute over 60 per cent of the population. We are the engine room of the nation. We determine election outcomes. We dominate the labour force. We drive innovation, entertainment, technology, sports, business, activism and national conversations. Yet, we remain grossly underrepresented in the real corridors of power and governance.

“That contradiction is why we are gathered here today. This conversation is not merely about politics. It is about the future of Nigeria. It is about whether the youths of this country will continue to be used as political foot soldiers or finally become political stakeholders.”

He said Nigeria was not fought for or built by passive or weak youths, noting that young people of that era were not seen as praise singers, social media warriors or political thugs.

Chukwu stated, “In their time in leadership positions, Nigeria progressed. Our educational institutions worked. Our currency had value. Our economy inspired hope. Our leaders built infrastructure. There was vision. There was direction. There was national pride. But somewhere along the line, the Nigerian youth stopped being viewed as partners in leadership and became tools for political conquest.

“For decades now, our youths have been used during elections and abandoned after elections. During campaigns, they are called ‘the leaders of tomorrow’. After victory, that tomorrow never comes. We are remembered when rallies are needed. We are remembered when social media battles must be fought. We are remembered when crowds must be gathered. But when appointments are shared, policies are formulated, opportunities are created and power is transferred, the youths disappear from the table.

“The most painful part of it is that many leaders no longer empower youths with character, competence and capacity. Instead, what we increasingly see is the empowerment and compensation of youths who merely make themselves available to be used for ungodly acts. The time for that to change is now. Nigeria cannot continue to reward loyalty above competence and expect development.

“The Nigerian youth is no longer asking, ‘What will you give us before the elections?’ No. The question now is, ‘After winning power with our support, are you prepared to support the transition of power to the younger generation of Nigerians?’ That should be the real conversation. Let me make this very clear today before the media, the nation and the entire world.”

He declared that Nigerian youths want to produce the President of the country by 2031.

The youth leader stated, “The youths are not saying that they must produce the President in 2027. We are saying that any presidential candidate seeking the support of Nigerian youths must publicly commit himself to the conversation of youth inclusion in governance and generational transition of leadership of the country back to the youth.

“We, the National Youth Leaders of all political parties in Nigeria, are speaking today in one voice: We want the next President of Nigeria after 2031 to be a younger Nigerian below the age of 60. This is not rebellion or disrespect to our elders, but responsibility to the future of this country.