President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerian youths to resist the growing temptation to leave the country, urging them instead to stay and contribute to its development.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President said Nigeria’s future depends largely on the commitment of its young people to help solve the country’s challenges rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.
“To our young people, Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here and vote here. Every great nation was built by people who stayed and solved problems, not by those who abandoned ship,” Tinubu said.
His remarks come at a time when the wave of migration, popularly known as japa, continues to see thousands of skilled Nigerians relocate abroad in search of better economic opportunities.
The trend has been particularly noticeable among professionals in technology, healthcare, education and other critical sectors.
The President acknowledged the concerns driving many young Nigerians to seek opportunities overseas but insisted that his administration was focused on creating an environment where they could thrive at home.
According to him, democracy must deliver real economic benefits to citizens, especially young people.
He pointed to government initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the National Agricultural Development Fund’s plan to deploy 10,000 tractors over five years, and efforts to support over 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses to access export markets.
Tinubu said the current generation has a responsibility to move Nigeria beyond political freedom towards economic prosperity.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. Our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” he stated.
The President stressed that his administration remains committed to expanding opportunities, creating jobs and improving living standards as part of efforts to ensure that the benefits of democracy are felt by ordinary Nigerians.
