President Bola Tinubu has issued a direct appeal to Nigerian youths, asking them to resist the growing temptation to emigrate and instead remain in the country to actively participate in its development. Speaking during his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President emphasized that the nation’s future belongs to those who choose to confront its challenges head-on rather than those who opt to leave.
The President’s remarks come as Nigeria continues to witness a sustained wave of emigration, popularly referred to as “japa,” which has seen a significant number of skilled young professionals (especially in the fields of technology, healthcare, and academia) relocate abroad in search of better economic opportunities.
In his address, the fourth he has delivered since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu directly addressed the youth, stating, “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 those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”
Beyond Japa: Democracy must be felt in the pocket — Tinubu
The President further argued that the dividends of Nigeria’s democracy must now translate into concrete economic benefits for citizens, particularly the younger generation. He stressed that democratic governance must have a direct impact on the financial well-being of ordinary Nigerians.
“Democracy must be felt in the pocket,” Tinubu declared, pointing to several ongoing initiatives designed to expand domestic opportunity. These include the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the deployment of 10,000 tractors over five years by the National Agricultural Development Fund, and the certification of over 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises for export.
He went on to describe the current generation of Nigerian youths as carrying a unique and defining historical responsibility. According to the President, each generation in Nigeria’s history has had a pivotal role to play.
“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” Tinubu stated.
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