A Clarion Call to the Youth: Embracing Self-Reliance for a Greater Tomorrow

By Comr. Amb. Suleiman Abdullahi FCAI,
Former State APC Youth Leader,
Niger State.

Fellow Nigerian Youths, the future of our great nation,

I address you today, not just as a party leader, but as a comrade, a fellow youth, and a believer in the immense potential that resides within each and every one of you. We stand at a critical juncture in our nation’s history, and the conversation we must have is urgent and vital: the need to break the chains of dependency and embrace the empowering virtue of self-reliance.

For too long, a significant portion of our energy has been misdirected towards seeking help from individuals or government officials. We line up for handouts, we wait for appointments that may never come, and we pin our hopes and futures on the benevolence of others. This culture of dependency is a trap. It diminishes our dignity, stifles our creativity, and keeps us in a perpetual state of waiting instead of doing.

Why must we change?

1. Dignity and Empowerment: There is an unparalleled dignity in earning your success. When you build something with your own hands and intellect, no one can take that achievement away from you. It fosters confidence and a sense of self-worth that no handout can ever provide.
2. Sustainable Development: A nation where the youth are creators, employers, and innovators is a nation on an unstoppable path to growth. Relying on government jobs or political favours is not a sustainable economic model for a country of over 200 million people. Our true strength lies in our ability to create value and solve problems.
3. The Limit of Government: While the government has a crucial role to play in creating an enabling environment through policies, infrastructure, and security, it can not be the sole employer of the teeming youth population. The government’s hand is there to support, not to hold us up permanently. Our destiny is ultimately in our own hands.

The Path to Self-Reliance: A Practical Charge

This is not merely a philosophy; it is a call to action. Here is what we must do:

· Acquire Relevant Skills: The world has moved beyond mere certificates. What can you do? Digital literacy, coding, artificial intelligence (AI), agriculture value chain, renewable energy, artisanal skills, content creation—these are the currencies of the new economy. Seek out knowledge relentlessly. Let us be producers, not just consumers.
· Embrace Entrepreneurship: Identify a problem in your community and provide a solution. Start that small business. That idea you have been nursing—nurture it, write a plan, and take the first step. Do not be afraid to start small; every great empire began as a small venture.
· Financial Literacy and Discipline: Learn to manage the resources you have. Save, invest wisely, and avoid the allure of get-rich-quick schemes that lead to ruin. Financial independence is a core pillar of self-reliance.
· Hold Leadership Accountable, But Don’t Wait for Them: Yes, we must demand good governance, accountability, and the creation of opportunities from our leaders. This is our right. However, while we advocate for a better system, we must simultaneously be building our own tables, not just waiting for a seat at someone else’s.
· Change Your Mentality: This is the most important step. Shift your mindset from “Who will help me?" to “How can I solve this?" From “Give me a job" to “I will create jobs.” This mental shift is the spark that ignites the fire of innovation and resilience.

Fellow youths, the strength of our nation, Niger State, and the APC's “Renewed Hope” agenda rests on our shoulders. We are the drivers of change. Let us rise to the occasion. Let us be known as the generation that stopped waiting and started building.

Let us build a legacy of self-reliance, industry, and prosperity that will inspire generations to come. The time for action is now.

Thank you.