President Bola Tinubu has issued a stark warning about Nigeria's future, stating the country risks a dangerous leadership vacuum if it fails to deliberately invest in children's development and preparation for responsibility.
Presidential Warning on National Future
The President delivered this caution on Thursday, November 21, 2025 during the launch and public presentation of The Power of a Teenager: 50 Ways to Inspire Change, authored by Representative Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts and Founder of the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV).
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly (House of Representatives) Matters, Dr. Ibrahim Olarewaju, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria's growing youth population presents both "great promise but also a serious threat" if young people are not properly guided, mentored, and equipped for leadership roles.
Addressing the Leadership Gap in Education
President Tinubu told hundreds of children attending the event: "You may not fully understand the impact of what you are receiving now, but tomorrow you will see what Hon. Bamidele Salam has done in your lives." He stressed that sustained lack of guidance and proper values formation among children could leave the country vulnerable in coming years.
The President commended Salam for personally funding the CALDEV initiative even before entering public office, highlighting how this commitment demonstrates the critical role individuals must play in shaping young citizens.
Broad Support for Youth Development Initiative
Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, echoed similar concerns, warning that ignoring the creative and intellectual potential of young Nigerians could transform a national asset into a significant challenge.
Shettima described the CALDEV programme as a timely intervention aligned with the administration's efforts to channel youth energy into positive national development. "This initiative speaks directly to the leaders of tomorrow," he stated, urging more stakeholders to support platforms that promote discipline, responsibility, and innovation among teenagers.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, emphasized that without deliberate mentorship, the natural talents of Nigerian children could be lost to societal pressures and negative influences. He praised Salam's consistency in publishing the leadership book annually, describing it as a vital guide for young people navigating an increasingly complex society.
CALDEV's Mission and Impact
Representative Salam explained that he founded CALDEV in 2015 to address what he termed a "dangerous leadership gap" in Nigeria's education system, where children excel academically but lack structured training in values, responsibility, and service.
He revealed that this year's edition of the National Children's Leadership Conference features 400 participants, many of whom have since gone on to lead advocacy efforts against child labour, early marriage, and other threats facing young Nigerians.
Salam urged state governments across Nigeria to adopt similar programmes to widen the impact and safeguard the nation's long-term future, emphasizing that the country's stability depends on how well today's young people are prepared for responsibility.
