With the successful conclusion of political parties primaries and the emergence of candidates for various elective offices, the Nigerian electorate stand on the threshold of making one of the greatest decisions in the history of the nation. And such decisions would have the potential of either maintaining the status quo (recycling same set of rulers) or altering the fundamental nature of the largest black nation on earth.
For now, the direction of the expected outcome remains profoundly uncertain. But decisions made today would have a critical influence on the path the country takes in the future. In the best case, Nigeria will enjoy a substantial boost to its development, becoming an economic engine not only for the West African sub-region, but also for the whole of Africa. If the worst happens, it will see a deepening cycle of economic under-performance, social unrest, and even conflict.
The choice between success and failure rests on Nigeria’s ability to harness the power of its single greatest asset: not oil, but youth; the future hope of this nation.
If Nigeria fails to utilise its demographic dividend, the seriousness of the country’s predicament should not be underestimated as prospects could be bleak and catastrophic
Sadly, the political history of this country post-independence has been dominated by the old and the elderly. In the last 23 years, the age bracket of Nigeria’s presidents, vice-presidents and even Senate presidents hovered around 60 to 75 years.
With the conclusion of political party primaries and election of candidates for the existing 18 political parties, the trend has not changed drastically. Most of the major political parties towed same line as in the past in choosing their future flag bearers. For instance, each of the candidates of the leading two political parties, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Ahmed Tinubu are above 70 years.
This is despite the existence of youth-enabling legislations such as the “Too Young to Run Act” meant to encourage youth participation in politics.
Unfortunately, Nigeria’s preference for gerontocracy runs contrary to current global trends. Few examples would suffice.
Finland’s premier, Sanna Marin 37, got the top job in 2019 at the age of 34. Kosovo’s woman leader, Vjosa Osmani, was elected president at the age of 38, just as Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
In the same vein, El Salvador’s controversial populist President Nayib Bukele was elected at age 37, Andorra’s former justice minister Xavier Espot Zamora became the head of government of the small territory between France and Spain in May 2019 at 39. Costa Rica’s Carlos Alvarado, a journalist and former labour minister, won elections to become president in May 2018 at 38.
That is not all, in New Zealand: Jacinda Ardern was 37 years old when she was sworn in as prime minister in October 2017, while in Ireland, Leo Varadkar became Ireland’s youngest prime minister in June 2017 at 38.
In France, the investment banker Emmanuel Macron at 39 became the youngest president in May 2017, as Gabriel Boric became Chile’s youngest-ever president at 35.
At a very tender age of 26, Giacomo Simoncini became one of the Captains Regent of San Marino, the tiny independent state in northern Italy.
Other notable young leaders are the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, 41, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck who rose to the throne in 2006 when he was just 26.
Others include, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, 37; Chad’s Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, also 37, who took over after the death of his father and the leader of the military junta in Mali, Assimi Goita, 38.
Here in Nigeria, the story is different. The average age of our presidents is 65 years in a country with a large proportion of young men and women.
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As youths become an increasingly precious resource, Nigeria will be one of the few large countries in the world that has young adults in plentiful and growing supply. Unfortunately, it is not harnessing the full potentials of this population for the good of the nation.
If Nigeria fails to utilise its demographic dividend, the seriousness of the country’s predicament should not be underestimated as prospects could be bleak and catastrophic. In the worst case, Nigeria will see growing numbers of restless young people frustrated by lack of opportunity; increased competition for jobs, land, natural resources, and political patronage; cities that are increasingly unable to cope with the pressures placed on them; ethnic and religious conflict and radicalism; and a political system discredited by its failure to improve lives.
Almost everyday, young Nigerians are increasingly frustrated by their lack of opportunities, and there are signs of new movements emerging to campaign for change. The next generation can make a huge contribution to Nigeria’s future, but if its potential is not harnessed, it will become an increasingly disruptive force.
Therefore, government at all levels urgently need to develop a thorough action plan for its next generation. At present, policy makers who are mostly old are faced with a dearth of robust data on the country’s future challenges. Hence, better evidence is needed to inform more far-sighted policies.
Moving forward, Nigeria must tap into the energies of the next generation, releasing its innovative and entrepreneurial potential and ensuring that young people have better opportunities for political expression.
It should also harness the potential of its Diaspora to provide opportunities for the young and for new ideas, investments, and contacts.
With the right policies for the next generation, Nigeria’s aspiration to become one of the world’s largest 20 economies is within reach. Should the electorate make the wrong choices in the coming elections, the country will suffer the consequences for many decades to come – and Nigeria’s development breakthrough could be forever lost.
