Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, has urged young Nigerians to demand a place in decision-making, stressing that they must actively participate in shaping the country’s future rather than leave consequential decisions to older leaders.
His message highlights the importance of youth participation in governance, public policy and other areas that influence Nigeria’s political, economic and social development.
The call comes amid continuing conversations about the role of young Nigerians in national affairs, particularly their access to leadership positions, opportunities to influence public policy and ability to contribute to decisions affecting their lives.
Tinubu’s remarks place emphasis on the need for young people to move beyond expressing opinions about national issues and seek meaningful opportunities to participate in the processes through which decisions are made.
Youth Participation Beyond Public Commentary
Young Nigerians frequently engage with national issues through social media, community activities, advocacy and public discussions. However, participation in decision-making also requires opportunities to contribute within institutions and structures where policies are developed and implemented.
These may include elected offices, political parties, local government bodies, professional associations, civil society organisations and community leadership platforms.
When young people participate in such structures, they can bring their experiences and concerns directly into discussions about education, employment, entrepreneurship, technology, security and public services.
Meaningful participation also requires more than symbolic representation. Young people need opportunities to contribute to deliberations, influence priorities and understand how decisions are reached.
Tinubu’s call therefore raises a broader question about how institutions can create more accessible pathways for younger Nigerians to participate in leadership and governance.
Bridging the Generational Gap
The relationship between older and younger generations remains an important consideration in discussions about leadership and national development.
Older leaders often bring institutional experience, established networks and knowledge of previous policy decisions. Younger people, meanwhile, can contribute perspectives shaped by contemporary economic conditions, technological changes and the challenges facing their generation.
Encouraging participation across generations does not require excluding older leaders. Rather, it involves creating opportunities for experience and fresh perspectives to inform decisions together.
Mentorship, leadership training and structured consultation can help young Nigerians develop the skills and experience required for public responsibilities while allowing institutions to benefit from their contributions.
Such arrangements can also help prepare emerging leaders to understand the complexities of governance, including budgeting, policy implementation, accountability and the need to balance competing public interests.
Turning Representation Into Influence
One of the central challenges in youth participation is ensuring that representation translates into meaningful influence.
The presence of young people at meetings or within leadership structures does not automatically mean their views will shape decisions. Their participation must be supported by clear responsibilities, access to relevant information and opportunities to contribute to policy discussions.
Political parties and public institutions can encourage broader participation through transparent recruitment processes, leadership development programmes and consultation mechanisms that give younger people a meaningful voice.
Local government structures and community organisations can also provide entry points for young people who want to understand public administration and contribute to decisions affecting their communities.
For participation to remain effective, young people must also be prepared to engage constructively, examine policy proposals critically and hold representatives accountable for their commitments.
Youth Involvement and Nigeria’s Development
The issues affecting young Nigerians extend across several areas of national life. Employment opportunities, access to education, entrepreneurship, infrastructure, healthcare and the cost of living all influence the prospects available to younger generations.
Giving young people a greater role in discussions about these issues can help ensure that policy debates account for their experiences and aspirations.
However, participation must be accompanied by access to reliable information and opportunities to evaluate competing proposals. Understanding how public institutions operate, how budgets are allocated and how policies are implemented can help young people engage more effectively.
Civic education and public consultation can support this process by helping citizens understand both their rights and their responsibilities.
A Call for Greater Civic Engagement
Tinubu’s appeal places responsibility on young Nigerians to seek opportunities to participate rather than assume that leadership and decision-making should remain exclusively in the hands of older generations.
That participation can take different forms, including voting, community service, joining professional or civic organisations, contributing to public consultations and seeking leadership positions.
It also involves asking questions, examining public commitments and assessing whether decisions reflect the needs of the people affected by them.
At the same time, institutions have a role in ensuring that young people who seek to participate are given fair opportunities to contribute, regardless of their backgrounds or connections.
Shaping the Future Through Participation
The debate over youth participation is ultimately about how Nigeria can draw on the experiences, skills and ideas of different generations in addressing its challenges.
Seyi Tinubu’s message reinforces the importance of giving young Nigerians opportunities to contribute to decisions that will shape their future.
Turning that call into practical change will require both individual initiative and institutional openness. Young people must be willing to develop their capabilities and engage with public issues, while political and civic institutions must provide meaningful channels for their participation.
The broader question is how to ensure that young Nigerians are not merely discussed in conversations about the country’s future, but are also able to participate in shaping the policies and decisions that will affect them.
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