Former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, has attributed the frustration among many Nigerian youths to the country’s worsening socio-economic conditions and the difficulty of securing decent jobs.
Adesina said Nigeria’s decline was not due to lack of resources but poor leadership, which he said had prevented the country from translating its human and natural endowments into real prosperity for citizens.
He spoke at the first annual public lecture organised by the Foursquare Gospel Church, Aba Ibeji, held at Mauve 21 in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The lecture was themed, “Nigeria’s Kinetics: How Long?”
According to Adesina, Nigeria possesses all the basic ingredients required for national development, including a large youthful population, abundant natural resources, fertile land and a strategic geographical location.
He, however, lamented that these advantages had not produced the expected level of wealth, growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“Nigeria has all the things it needs to progress. It has a big young population, lots of natural resources, fertile land, and a good location geographically,” he said.
“Nigeria is endowed with both human and natural resources but unfortunately it has not translated to wealth.”
Adesina said the failure to properly harness the country’s potential had left many citizens, especially young people, disillusioned.
“These have prevented the country from reaching its full potential. Many young Nigerians are frustrated because they cannot find good jobs or enjoy a better quality of life,” he added.
The former presidential spokesman urged Nigerian leaders to ensure that their actions align with their promises, saying citizens must be allowed to benefit from the country’s vast resources.
He stressed that leadership must go beyond rhetoric and deliver practical results capable of restoring hope, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.