President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian youths to reconsider emigrating, making a direct appeal for them to stay and contribute to national development.
He said Nigeria’s progress depends on young people who choose to build the country rather than seek opportunities abroad.
Tinubu made the appeal on Friday during his Democracy Day address — his fourth since assuming office in May 2023.
He stressed that Nigeria’s future rests with its younger population, especially as many continue to leave in search of better living conditions, a trend popularly called “japa.”
“The time has come for democratic governance to translate into real economic benefits that citizens can feel, especially our youth,” he said. Tinubu called on young Nigerians to invest their talents locally in technology, entrepreneurship, and civic participation.
“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,” he added.
The President said each generation has had a defining role in Nigeria’s history — from securing independence to restoring democracy. “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,” he stated.
Tinubu also highlighted federal initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for youths, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to expand access to higher education, plus agricultural and small business support programmes to boost employment and productivity.