Human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on Nigerian youths to take active steps in reclaiming the country from the older generation.
Speaking on Saturday at the sixth Annual Youth Leadership Conference, held at the University of Lagos and themed Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship (RISE 2025), Falana emphasized the urgent need for young Nigerians to rise to the occasion and redefine the nation’s future.
He lamented the stark contrast between the present reality and the Nigeria of his youth.
“You will have to challenge those who are in power when you have access to them, because some of them in power today belong to our generation. We didn’t suffer what you are going through. We lived a life of dignity,” he said.
Falana reflected on the dreams held by his generation, which envisioned Nigeria as a global leader due to its rich resources.
“My generation had dreams, genuine dreams, about this country becoming one of the best in the world, because we have abundant human and natural resources that should make us a leading country in the world. But what has happened?” he asked.
Encouraging the youth to take ownership of the country’s direction, he urged them to seek inspiration from the continent’s cultural icons.
“Your generation has a duty to reclaim the country, and please, when you are going to listen to songs in ceremonies of this nature, please try and listen to some of the great African musicians,” Falana advised, noting that such music could serve as a source of motivation and consciousness.
He further challenged the narrative that Nigeria is inherently poor.
“You must also listen and be inspired to fight for justice in our country. You are often told that our country is poor. Quote me, ours is not poor. We suffer from material poverty because there is poverty of ideas in our country,” he stated.
Criticizing the popular cliché that young people are “leaders of tomorrow,” Falana urged them to assert themselves today.
“They tell you you are leaders of tomorrow. You must be leaders of today first, so you must take back what is left,” he declared.
Also speaking at the event, the convener, Mr. Olusegun Odufuwa, said the RISE theme was not just a slogan but a purposeful call to action.
“Nigeria stands at the critical juncture, our nation is rich in promise, bursting with talent and vibrant with diversity, yet we are confronted with complex challenges, economic uncertainties, infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment and questions of leadership and governance,” Odufuwa said.
He stressed that amid these challenges lies a great opportunity for transformation, driven by the energy and vision of young Nigerians.
“A nation is built not merely by its policies, but by its people, especially its youth. If Nigeria is to rise, it must be on the shoulders of a generation that is resilient in the face of adversity, innovative in its thinking, socially responsible in its actions, and entrepreneurial in its spirit,” he concluded.
