By Francis Ogunbowale
Sometime in July 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria inaugurated a 27- Member Committee to review the 2019 – 2023 National Youth Policy. In the words of Alh. Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, the review became necessary in order to come up with a befitting policy document to serve as a guide for development of the nation’s teeming youth.
The statement of the Perm Sec, probably suggests that the current National Youth Policy does not serve as a veritable guide for youth development, that it is inadequate to meet the desired expectations, that there is need for a review and that a 27-Member Committee is such that will do the magic.
But a cursory look at the policy document will reveal that this is far from the truth. The National Youth Policy 2019 to 2023 is of world class, all encompassing, conforms with international standard and consists of very robust provisions and practical support mechanism for youth development, which any credible government may want to give its youth.
The policy of the United Nations does not advocate for anything different other than promotion of peace, security, human rights and sustainable development of the youths. Similarly, like the Nigerian Youth Policy, the USAID Youth Development Policy 2022 seeks to promote rights, influence and opportunities for the youth to pursue their life goals and contribute to the development of their communities. The ECOWAS Commission Youth policy also accepts the youth as a basis of overall development.
The argument here is that there is no problem or deficit in the existing youth policy in Nigeria. The main challenge is lack of implementation resulting from bad leadership, misplaced priority, corruption, disobedience to the rule of law and nepotism. The National Youth Policy 2019 to 2023 contains provisions which adequately addressed youth education, employment opportunities, access to supportive services, affordable health care, civic engagement, political inclusion, human rights, peace and security, agriculture and sports development.
Regrettably, bad leadership has hindered an impressive implementation of youth programs that are capable of bringing youth development such as employment opportunities, realization of full potentials and social, economic and political inclusion.
Unemployment is the most troubling problem in the country today, with no end in sight. From the projection of The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the country’s unemployment rate hit 37% in 2023. Although, there is job vacancy in Industries, the school curriculum is not designed in such a way that graduates will fit into job specifications at work places.
Rather than provide synergies, leaders usually pursue misplaced priorities and proliferate educational institutions without any goal that is relevant to youth advancement. This is compounded with corruption at all levels and everywhere, including the church and the mosque, coupled with institutional coups and tenor elongation in order to remain perpetually in power. Where few opportunities emerge, rather than pursue an even share, leaders usually prefer to harvest all the available space to their kinsmen.
We really do not need to review the National Youth Policy. What we need is to examine the character of government and the mindset of its officials. We need an ethical rebirth. The problem of Nigeria is not that of lack of effective youth policy, but that of non-implementation or poor implementation resulting from elitism, selfishness and lack of political will.
Youth development is a global phenomenon. While the African Youth Charter encourages full participation of the youth in the life of the society, the Commonwealth Youth Charter seeks to create a society where young people are empowered to fully develop their potentials. The United Nations charter and the United Nations World Program of action for the youth are not different. They both quest for protection of fundamental human rights of the youths.
Government needs to develop the academic, social and vocational competence of the youth through mentorship programs and establishment of youth centres across the country; enhance youth confidence through positive self-concept; encourage community, family and personal connection of the youth; expose them to good character by rewarding positive moral value and integrity; and encourage them to participate and be fully involved in decision making, at all levels.
In every jurisdiction, the youth is usually at the centre of any meaningful development. The object of any Youth Policy anywhere in the world is to promote fundamental human rights of the youth, protect their socio economic and political well-being, enhance optimum participation in the overall development process and quality of life. Nigeria should not be an exception.
Francis Ogunbowale
