Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Muhammadu Jega, has issued a stark warning that Nigeria's national stability is under severe threat due to the persistent lack of opportunities for its massive youth population.
A Dire Warning on National Stability
Speaking at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the youth-led non-profit, I Am Change (IAC) Organisation, in Abuja on December 6, 2025, Jega delivered a candid and sobering assessment. He stated that the popular notion of "youths are the leaders of tomorrow" is in danger of becoming empty rhetoric unless immediate and corrective action is taken by the government.
Jega highlighted the critical contradiction facing the nation: young people constitute nearly 70 per cent of Nigeria's population, yet they are largely trapped in an under-resourced education system. Upon graduation, they face a bleak landscape of unemployment or are forced into insecure, informal work. This vacuum, he argued, makes them highly vulnerable to negative political mobilisation, economic hardship, and disengagement from constructive civic life.
Beyond Talk: The Call for Structural Reforms
The former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK) criticised the current government approach as "talk-heavy, action-light." While acknowledging official awareness of the risks, he insisted that token programmes or last-minute palliatives are insufficient. The solution, according to Jega, lies in evidence-based, ethically grounded, and consistently implemented policies.
He urged both federal and state governments to move beyond mere funding and pursue deep structural reforms. These reforms must:
- Expand learning opportunities and build capacity.
- Nurture leadership skills among young Nigerians.
- Create concrete pathways for youth inclusion in governance and decision-making.
Jega specifically called for partnerships with credible, youth-focused organisations like IAC, which are led by committed and visionary Nigerians.
IAC: A Decade of Defying Apathy
Reflecting on the IAC's decade-long journey since its founding in 2015, Jega praised the organisation's Executive Director, Hafsatu Shinkafi, along with its partners and volunteers. He commended their "visionary focus, strong organisational capacity and useful energy," which he said had achieved tangible community impact in an era of rising individualism. He described IAC's achievements as "phenomenal" and proof that young Nigerians can build platforms that drive national progress.
In her welcome address, Shinkafi echoed the urgency, warning that Nigeria risks "wasting an entire generation" if it continues to overlook the creativity and leadership potential of its youth. She stated that IAC was founded in response to structural injustices like unemployment, insecurity, poor education, and political exclusion.
"Today is not just an anniversary; it is a decade of defying apathy and proving that Nigerian youth are not problems to manage but resources capable of rebuilding this nation," Shinkafi declared. She cited the "Not Too Young to Run" law as evidence that persistent civic advocacy can yield real political gains, a cause IAC has actively championed.
Shinkafi highlighted key IAC programmes that have nurtured young advocates nationwide, including:
- The Leadership and Mentoring Academy.
- Electoral engagement initiatives.
- Democracy Camp.
- The "It Starts With Me" civic-action project.
Addressing dignitaries, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, she stressed Nigeria must move from inspiration to investment. "We are not training the next generation for tomorrow. We are training them to build Nigeria now. Because the future will not wait," she concluded.
Jega concluded his remarks by appealing to patriotic Nigerians, civil society, and professional bodies to engage government constructively, advocating for "serious organising" to drive positive change. He received an award at the event for his support of IAC.
