In commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, the Nigerian Youth Union (NYU) has urged President Bola Tinubu to implement the recommendations from the 2014 National Conference. The call was made by the National President of the Union, Chinonso Obasi, during a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
The theme of the conference, “Nigeria@64: The State of Nigerian Youths,” aims to draw government attention to the urgent need to prioritize youth welfare. Obasi highlighted that many challenges faced by the country prior to the conference persist and must be addressed.
He emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for youth to thrive, warning that failure to do so could lead to a brain drain phenomenon popularly known as the ‘Japa Syndrome.’ “The only way to empower the greater majority of Nigerian youths is by creating an enabling environment for everyone to strive,” he stated.
Obasi called for the revival of moribund companies, including the Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi State, Nigeria’s refineries, and textile companies. He expressed concern about the rising levels of hopelessness and the lack of opportunities for youth in contemporary Nigeria. “Surviving as a youth in Nigeria today is like a camel passing through the needle’s eye. What does the future hold for me in Nigeria?” he questioned, addressing issues related to education, economy, security, and youth empowerment.
On the topic of education, Obasi acknowledged President Tinubu’s initiative of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) but criticized the loan amount as insufficient in light of the current economic situation. He remarked, “While we thank President Tinubu for the novel NELFUND, it becomes imperative that N500,000 loan to students in an economy where a liter of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is over N1,500 is a mess.”
He pointed out that rising university tuition fees, hazardous living conditions in student accommodations, and a lack of job opportunities after graduation undermine the good intentions behind the NELFUND.