A Professor of Political Science at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Prof. Toba Alabi, has called for deliberate policies to empower Nigerian youths, strengthen institutions and harness digital technology to accelerate national development.
Prof. Alabi made the call at the fifth International Conference on Development Challenges and Opportunities for Nigeria, organised by the Faculty of Arts, Kaduna State University (KASU).
He described the country’s large youth population as a major national asset, stressing the need for governments to create policies and opportunities that would enable young people to acquire relevant skills, secure employment and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Prof. Alabi said the rapid advancement of information and communication technology had opened up opportunities that were unavailable to previous generations, urging young Nigerians to take advantage of digital platforms and emerging technologies to improve their livelihoods.
He emphasised the need to strengthen the relationship between citizens and the state, saying effective governance and protection of citizens’ interests would promote patriotism and build public confidence in government.
The don called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s economy and infrastructure, as well as the transformation of the country’s abundant resources into productive assets capable of driving sustainable development.
Prof. Alabi further urged Nigerians to demand accountability from political leaders and make informed choices during elections, stressing that citizens have an important role to play in determining the quality of leadership in the country.
He however, expressed optimism about the country’s future, urging Nigerians, particularly young people, to remain hopeful and contribute their quota to national transformation.
Adamu Yusuf
