Prominent Nigerian leader Chief Bisi Akande has issued a grave warning about the country's growing human capacity crisis, stating that Nigeria risks facing the collective anger of millions of untrained and unskilled youths if immediate action isn't taken.
The Time Bomb of Untrained Youth
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Ibadan delivered his stark message at the 19th International Annual Conference, General Assembly and Investiture of Fellows of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) in Ibadan.
Akande described Nigeria's massive population of uneducated and untrained young people as a ticking time bomb that could destabilize national peace if left unaddressed. He emphasized that the country is effectively at war with itself despite possessing abundant natural resources.
We have large populations of uneducated and untrained workers who have no capacity to exploit our resources for wealth, Akande stated during his address yesterday.
Security Implications of Weak Human Capital
The respected elder statesman highlighted how Nigeria's weak human capital base has created dangerous vulnerabilities that are being exploited by both foreign and domestic criminal elements.
According to Akande, the vacuum allows foreign actors disguising themselves as bandits, Boko Haram or terrorists to operate freely, while local criminal groups thrive on the widespread poverty and frustration among unemployed youth.
His concerns found strong support from former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), who delivered the keynote address at the same event. The retired military leader emphasized that youth joblessness has evolved into an urgent national and global security threat.
Call for Collaborative Solution
General Musa proposed that investing in entrepreneurship, vocational training, and the digital economy represents Nigeria's most cost-effective peacekeeping strategy. He didn't mince words when addressing corruption, labeling it as economic sabotage that undermines national development.
The former defence chief advocated for a Grand Alliance for Peace that would bring together government institutions, private sector organizations, civil society groups, academic institutions, and security agencies to collectively tackle the insecurity plaguing the nation.
Adding his voice to the discourse, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, cautioned that youth unemployment creates a reservoir of disillusionment that extremists can easily exploit. He stressed that providing decent work and fair wages remains essential for maintaining social stability.
The consensus among the speakers was clear: until young Nigerians receive massive training in science and technology, the nation will continue to struggle against wars stemming from ignorance, poor health, and abject poverty.
