Survival Instincts of the Nigerian Youth, by Yusuf Lawal

Survival Instincts of the Nigerian Youth, by Yusuf Lawal

A couple of months in the past, “His Highness Kabiyesi” Tunde Bakare, the Editor-in-Chief of the Kwara Tabloid and I met at a public e book presentation authored by a younger couple, the place we each obtained speaking on the actions of at the moment’s youths and the accolades and issues related to their affairs. It may very well be the rationale why my brother; Tunde discovered a few of my opinions on the youth attention-grabbing and deemed me certified to be the Visitor Speaker on the event of the tenth Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony of the Kwara Tabloid. I pray that it’s not an exaggerated acknowledgment.

This lecture will not be revealing something concerning the youth that this viewers just isn’t aware of, it would simply rekindle our consciousness and produce to the entrance burner as soon as extra; the query of what  our youths need for additional dialogue and interplay. So, could I ask, what do our youths need? notably from their manifestation of their despondency, disenchantment, displeasure and disagreement with the established order. Because of this, even supposing the organisers of this occasion haven’t given me any subject to deal with, I’ve chosen to title this lecture SURVIVAL INSTINCTS OF THE NIGERIAN YOUTH IN A DYNAMIC TIME: THE FACTS, FANTASIES AND FALLACIES

This isn’t a purely tutorial paper requiring compliance with all of the deserving niceties, however, the introductory half would nonetheless require that I make some conceptual clarifications for an understanding of the discourse. Please allow me to subsequently perform a little background to this presentation.

Background

Common Nigerian youths have been instilled with survival intuition proper from when they’re kids. The idea of youth was a topic of debate for thus lengthy and was lastly decided by age-range (Chukwuemeka, et al, 2012). Youths are subjected to regulate of the social system, which exhibits that we’re formed by the society we reside in. Notably, the motives of youths are derived largely from people’ social expertise and interplay. These social expertise and interplay embody, the household, the spiritual homes (mosques, church buildings and synagogues) and peer group (Ntunde, 2005).

From the seemingly golden period of free training, comparatively good lifestyle and promising and envisaged shiny future, to the cruel realities of financial recession, dangerous governance and endemic corruption in a struggling nation, the narrative for Nigerian youths has undergone a dramatic shift. Within the early post-independence period, Nigeria was brimming with optimism and promise as training of youth being future leaders was prioritised, with the federal government offering free and high quality training at some ranges. This good story was unfold throughout totally different  areas of the nation, notably following the top of colonialism and the gaining of political independence. Beneficiaries of the Sardauna period within the Northern area would readily relish their experiences when training in public colleges was not solely free, however the college students have been even paid for being at school, whereas automated employment was awaiting them at commencement. These within the Western area additionally enjoined the abundance of the advantages of the free training underneath the Awolowo period. It was not too totally different within the Japanese area.The prioritisation of training in all components of the nation was a cardinal precept of presidency. Extra particularly, colleges have been outfitted with sufficient services and extremely certified lecturers nurtured the mental development younger Nigerians (Bamigboye, Ede & Adeyemi, 2016).

The Eighties marked the period of dramatic flip when financial mismanagement, coupled with oil worth shocks, plunged the nation right into a deep recession. The income of the Authorities shrank and its skill to help training and supply employment alternatives dwindled. The once-thriving training system started to falter, with infrastructure deteriorating and the morale of lecturers sinking (Odupitan, 2017). Amidst the financial turmoil, corruption took root, additional exacerbating the challenges the Nigerian youths confronted. Notably, the diversion of public funds away from training and into the pockets of corrupt officers crippled the system, leaving colleges underfunded and ill-equipped (Durojaiye, 2017).

The once-hopeful narrative for Nigerian youths reworked right into a story of battle and resilience. They grappled with the cruel realities of unemployment, insufficient training and a society suffering from corruption. Lovely goals have been shattered as guarantees by Authorities remained unkept. At this time, the Nigerian youth is confronted by a number of challenges together with restricted entry to useful and qualitative training, restricted entry to employment, lack of entry to enterprise help funds and migration, lack of entry to dependable well being help, over publicity to destructive western cultures, distanced from cherished cultural values, over publicity to the tradition of greed and corruption, in addition to ethnicity and lack of nationwide consciousness (Umezulike, 2015). Regardless of these challenges, Nigerian youths have demonstrated outstanding resilience and innovation, as they’ve embraced entrepreneurship, creating their very own alternatives in an more and more casual financial system. Considerably, they’ve harnessed the ability of know-how to attach, be taught and share concepts. They’ve additionally develop into advocates for social change, demanding higher governance and transparency. Their position within the 2023 Common Election was seen by the blind and heard by the deaf. It will not be an exaggeration to say that the useless was alive to their affect.

Moreover, the way forward for the Nigerian youth hinges on the nation’s skill to deal with the systemic challenges which have undermined their progress. However, the Nigerian youth, with their inherent resilience and untapped potential, maintain the important thing to the nation’s revival. This paper subsequently examines the information, fantasies and fallacies of the survival instincts of the Nigerian youth in a dynamic time.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Survival: That is act of continuous to reside or exist regardless of nice hazard or issue.

Intuition: In keeping with James (1890), that is outlined as the college of performing in such a approach as to provide sure ends, with out foresight of the ends, and with out earlier training within the efficiency.

Youth: In keeping with the United Nations (2010), Youth is finest understood as a interval of transition from the dependence of childhood to maturity’s independence.

Dynamic: This may be outlined as a being characterised by fixed or steady change, exercise or motion (Collins Dictionary, 2023).

Time: The indefinite continued progress of existence and occasions that happen in apparently irreversible succession from the previous via the current to the longer term (Oxford Dictionary, 2023).

Reality: A fact identified by precise commentary or expertise (Dictionary.com, 2023).

Fantasy: That is the ability or course of of making particularly unrealistic or inconceivable psychological photographs in response to psychological want (Merriam Webster, 2023).

Fallacy: A fallacy is an thought which many individuals consider to be true, however which is actually false as a result of it’s based mostly on incorrect data or reasoning (Collins Dictionary, 2023).

SCOPE

The scope of this paper is structured into time, area and content material. The interval the paper covers is from the Nineties until date. This era covers an period that has undergone a number of adjustments that’s manifest within the lifestyle of the Nigerian youth, when evaluating the golden period and current day. The geographical area lined is Nigeria. The content material is delimited to youth behaviour, life-style and means for survival.

METHODOLOGY

Commentary Survey was used on this paper. It was used to collect qualitative information concerning the behaviour, interactions and environments of youths in Nigeria. Mainly, it’s all my participatory commentary of the happenings round me and within the society the place I reside.

LIMITATION

The key limitation is the restricted timeframe to make this presentation.

CAUSES OF YOUTH DESPONDENCY

i. Financial Downturn

Financial downturn impacts younger folks, which ends up in despondency and hopelessness and this is because of a number of causes equivalent to insufficient employment alternatives, elevated monetary pressure, diminished instructional alternatives, social isolation and lack of hope. Job losses are frequent throughout financial downturns and this makes it tougher for younger folks to safe employment, which ends up in emotions of frustration, nervousness and uncertainty concerning the future. As an example, Nigeria’s financial development slowed to three.52 per cent within the Fourth Quarter of 2023 from 3.98 per cent in 2022, as widespread flooding destroyed farms, oil manufacturing declined and business was squeezed by rising prices Ohuocha, (2023). In keeping with the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics [NBS] (2022), full-year development stood at 3.1 per cent in 2022, which was in tandem with the projection of World Financial institution. Though the agriculture sector grew, its efficiency was considerably fraught with extreme flooding that occurred throughout the nation. The NBS (2022) additionally reported that the Trade sector recorded -0.94 per cent development and contributing much less to the mixture GDP, which was relative to the Third Quarter of 2022 and the Fourth Quarter of 2021. These developments have precipitated hardship, which has resulted to the issue of youths to afford primary requirements equivalent to housing, meals and healthcare. Naturally, this has caused despondency to the youths.

ii. Poor Training Commonplace

Whereas excessive normal of training is able to motivating youths and getting ready them for future success, poor training normal is able to inflicting frustration and despondency. Poor training normal within the nation is brought on by low budgetary allocation, lack of motivation within the instructional sector, insufficient services and poor administration amongst many others. Moreover, the state of training in Nigeria has been worrisome through the years. We now have one of many lowest literacy charges globally with solely 59 per cent of the grownup inhabitants in a position to learn and write. That is regardless of our largest inhabitants in Africa, largest financial system on the continent and largest democracy amongst black folks of the world.

iii.  Unemployment and Underemployment

Unemployment and underemployment are each vital challenges in Nigeria, thereby contributing to youth despondency. Youth unemployment fee was 33.3 per cent within the third quarter of 2020 and underemployment fee was 22.8 per cent throughout the identical interval (Nationwide Bureau of Statistics [NBS], 2021). Notably, the most important components contributing to unemployment and underemployment among the many Nigerian youths embrace restricted job alternatives, insufficient expertise and coaching and financial downturns. These information have profound affect on youth despondency, which embrace restricted earnings and monetary pressure, social exclusion and stigma, diminished shallowness and confidence, in addition to unfulfilled aspirations and restricted alternatives.

iv. Inhabitants Explosion

Inhabitants explosion in Nigeria is characterised by a speedy enhance within the variety of folks. This phenomenon is marked by emotions of hopelessness, despair and a scarcity of motivation among the many youth inhabitants. The United Nations [UN] estimates that Nigeria’s inhabitants is about 211 million. Nevertheless, the nation’s development fee is larger than the worldwide common, which is 1.1 per cent.  As youth inhabitants grows with out concomitant enhance in financial improvement, competitors for scarce sources, equivalent to training, employment and primary facilities intensifies. Moreover, a quickly rising inhabitants with out commensurate development in services places a pressure on infrastructure and very important facilities equivalent to colleges, hospitals and public transportation. This in the end ends in overcrowded services, insufficient sources and diminished service high quality. As well as, the speedy development of youths outpaces job creation, which ends up in scarcity of employment alternatives. This end result impacts the youths as they find yourself dealing with extended durations of unemployment or underemployment.

v. Low Commonplace of Dwelling

Low lifestyle in Nigeria impacts the psychological and emotional well-being of the youths, contributing considerably to emotions of despondency. Nigeria’s poverty fee was 43.3 per cent in 2021, with an estimated 87 million folks dwelling in poverty (Yazi, 2023). Notably, low lifestyle causes youth despondency because of restricted financial alternatives, monetary pressure, poverty, insufficient entry to training, poor healthcare companies, homelessness, insecurity, restricted entry to primary facilities, in addition to social inequalities and discrimination.

vi.  Inappropriate Training Curriculum and Insufficient Labour/Ability Capability

The misalignment between training curriculum and labour market necessities contributes to youth despondency in Nigeria in varied methods. A method is when training curriculum is unable to equip youths with the sufficient expertise and competencies which might be demanded by the labour market. This creates a expertise hole that hinders youth employability. The training system typically fosters unrealistic expectations about job prospects and profession paths, main graduates to consider that their {qualifications} will routinely translate into fascinating and well-paying employment.

CONSEQUENCES OF YOUTH RESENTMENT

A.   Optimistic Outcomes

i.  Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship in Nigeria is pivotal to the nation’s financial development, as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) now account for about 49.8 per cent of Gross Home Product (GDP) and 85 per cent of complete industrial employment. In scenario of disillusionment with the established order, the youths have been pushed to hunt various paths to success and fulfilment as many have positively embraced entrepreneurship . They’re widespread throughout all sectors of the financial system and have been instrumental in offering artistic options, progressive concepts and worth creation. Considerably, the components that set off entrepreneurial spirit amongst resentful youth embrace dissatisfaction with current alternatives, want for autonomy and management, ambition to make a distinction and rise up towards the norm amongst others. Entrepreneurship because of youth resentment in Nigeria has led to constructive outcomes equivalent to innovation, job creation, financial development, social affect and alter, private development and improvement, in addition to empowerment and self-determination.

ii. Inventive Economic system

In recent times, youths have been searching for options to white-collar employment as doable options to the issue of financial hardship and unemployment and the artistic sector, which includes Media and Leisure, Magnificence and Life-style, Visible Arts, in addition to Tourism and Hospitality, has thrived on this regard. In 2019 alone, the movie and music industries alone generated $104 million {dollars} into the nation’s financial system (Dandaura, 2020). Equally, the NBS tasks that the business is anticipated to achieve a valuation of $15billion by 2025. The sector employs about 4.2 million folks and is projected to create extra 2.7 jobs in 2028 (The African Report, Jobberman, 2023). Considerably, the artistic financial system generates empowerment via self-expression, financial alternatives within the arts and tradition, cultural innovation and illustration, job creation and entrepreneurship, in addition to international visibility and affect. Thus, the emergence of the artistic financial system which has additionally led to the change in nomenclature of the superintending ministry on the federal stage to that of Federal Ministry of Arts, Tradition and Inventive Economic system could be considered as a constructive consequence of youth resentment in Nigeria.

iii.  Sports activities Improvement and Competencies

Sports activities has develop into an vital facet of Nigerian tradition a lot that the curiosity in and recognition of sports activities have affected the political, social, financial and academic materials of the nation (Mohammed, 2017). In keeping with Amuchie, (1999) sports activities is a mirror of the society; video games present a contact stone for understanding how folks reside, work, assume and play in addition to serving as barometer of a nation’s progress and civilisation. Sports activities improvement function constructive consequence of youth resentment in Nigeria by offering avenues for bodily and psychological wellbeing, fostering teamwork and management expertise, selling neighborhood engagement, and instilling a way of identification and objective (Mohammed, 2017). Youths have been in a position to develop competences that contribute to their private development, in addition to the general improvement of their communities. The variety of Nigerian youths who’re taking to sports activities as technique of livelihood has continued to extend, and this isn’t restricted to in style video games like soccer, quite Nigerian names are all around the sports activities enviornment, even when and the place a few of them should not donning the Nigerian jersey or flying Nigerian flag.

iv.  ICT Innovation

Over time, Nigeria has loved the position of Info and Communication Expertise (ICT) in fostering financial development, enhancing governance and driving societal improvement. Consequently, Nigerian youths have turned to ICT as a approach to deal with their frustrations and specific their creativity. Considerably, ICT has supplied a platform for the youths to attach with the world, share concepts and develop new expertise (Gwani, 2023). This has led to the emergence of a vibrant and progressive ICT within the nation. As well as, ICT innovation is creating jobs and companies, as it’s aiding within the enchancment of entry to training, healthcare and different important companies.

v.  Larger Levels

The resentment of the Nigerian youths towards the established order has equally pushed them to pursue larger levels of their numbers. The variety of Nigeria Youths pursuing larger levels in tertiary establishments throughout the globe is unprecedented and plenty of of them are graduating with distinctions and laurels. Youth resentment in Nigeria is partly attributed to frustration over restricted alternatives and challenges accessing high quality training and pursuing larger levels equivalent to Masters and Doctoral programmes. The acquisition of upper levels empowers the youths by offering them with superior information and expertise, as training stays a robust instrument for private {and professional} development, subsequently acquiring larger levels permits the youths to beat limitations and equip them with the {qualifications} essential for specialised roles.

vi.  Expatriate Migration

{Many professional} youths who’re extremely certified have develop into cell as their experience is being sought throughout the globe. Information point out that Nigeria has the very best variety of migrant medical practitioners in america. Fairly numerous these professionals have additionally ventured into politics and governance of their host nations as a few of them are presently holding legislative and government positions. These professionals have migrated legally to their host nations and they’re appropriately rewarded,

vii. Participation in Politics

The dissatisfaction being skilled by youths has spurred their want change and reform within the nation. It is because resentment additionally stems from dissatisfaction with the present political system, governance or societal buildings. This end result has motivated youths within the nation to develop into energetic in politics, with the objective of bringing about constructive change and reform by selling larger illustration and inclusion of various voices within the political panorama, holding elected officers accountable and guaranteeing that they deal with the wants and issues of younger folks injecting new concepts and views into the political course of, in addition to selling civic engagement and a way of possession amongst younger folks in the neighborhood. As an example, youth participation within the 2023 common elections made up over 60 per cent of the eligible voting inhabitants. In keeping with Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), greater than half of latest voters are younger folks aged 18-34 years. Of the 9.4 million newly registered voters, 7.28 million or 76 per cent of them are younger folks. By way of occupation, the info confirmed that 40 per cent of latest voters recognized as college students, who at 27.8 per cent, made up nearly twice the variety of the subsequent class of voters—farmers at 15.8 per cent of all voters (Akinmoju, 2023).

viii.  Trendy Day Commerce

Youths are exploring various avenues for financial empowerment. Trendy-day commerce, which encompasses e-ecommerce, on-line platforms, and cross-border transactions has availed Nigerian youths with unprecedented entry to international markets and alternatives. Considerably, younger entrepreneurs are leveraging on know-how and digital instruments. This has resulted in a vibrant and various buying and selling panorama within the nation. These have had constructive impacts on youth engagement in modern-day commerce by fostering financial empowerment and job creation, ability improvement and innovation, in addition to international connectivity and market enlargement.

ix.  Meals and Recreation

Meals has develop into a thriving medium for self-expression, cultural exploration and entrepreneurial ventures for teenagers. They’re experimenting with international flavours, whereas incorporating native substances, introducing fusion delicacies and reinterpreting conventional dishes. These could be seen in avenue meals evolution, pop-up eating places and meals festivals, in addition to fusion delicacies and international flavours. The culinary creativity just isn’t solely reworking the meals panorama in Nigeria, but additionally contributing to the nation’s financial development, cultural vibrancy and worldwide recognition. The worth addition right here is the alternatives of job creation and financial empowerment, in addition to cultural preservation and innovation. The variety of Amala Eating places in main cities throughout the globe, notably in Nigeria, Africa, Europe and North America is unprecedented.

x.  Soccer Viewing Centres

Soccer exhibits supply a welcome distraction from the day by day struggles confronted by youths within the nation. These exhibits present an immersive and entertaining escape from the cruel realities of life, giving room for teenagers the chance to attach with their favorite groups, cheer on their idols and expertise the joys of competitors and camaraderie. These have in the end caused stress aid and emotional wellbeing, sense of neighborhood and belonging, cultural expression and identification formation. Many youths, even within the remotest villages, hamlets and clans have arrange soccer viewing centres the place they earn money from viewers nearly on a regular basis of the week.

B.   Unfavorable Outcomes

i.                 Sale and Buy of Employment Slots

The sale and buy of employment slots in Nigeria is a regarding phenomenon that has emerged a destructive consequence of youth resentment and desperation. Nevertheless, there are a number of components that contribute to this daunting phenomenon, which embrace unemployment and underemployment, corruption and lack of transparency, in addition to political patronage and affect. In 2020, the Human Rights Writers Affiliation of Nigeria (HURIWA) lamented the widespread commercialisation of federal civil service employment slots by key officers in authorities (Nwachukwu, 2020). Equally, quickly after the Unbiased Corrupt Practices Fee (ICPC), found N9.2bn as over-bloated personnel prices of some Ministries, Departments and Companies (MDAs), the affected MDAs went on secret recruitments to cover-up the alleged rip-off (Ndagi, 2019). This apply undermines the rules of meritocracy and equity, perpetuates inequality and exacerbates the already difficult employment panorama for younger Nigerians.

ii.              Web Fraud (419)

Web fraud is a major problem in Nigeria. It’s usually related to actions like phishing, on-line scams, and cybercrime. The time period or code “419” is coined from part 419 of the Nigerian prison code which particularly offers with crimes associated to false pretenses and deceit. Web fraud encompasses romance rip-off, lottery rip-off, phishing and cheque overpayment rip-off. Notably, this menace has destructive results on the nation’s picture that embrace tarnishing the nation’s repute, lack of belief and confidence, denied alternatives for Nigerians overseas and inimical to the progress and improvement of the nation (Ezedikachi, 2021).

Between January and June, 2023, about three thousand (3,000) Nigerian youths have both been arrested or jailed for his or her involvement in web fraud. Nevertheless, the extra they’re arrested and jailed, the numbers of those scammers dominate the data of the Financial and Monetary Crims Fee (EFCC) (Management Newspaper, January, 2023).

iii.            Cultism

Cultism is frequent among the many youths in Nigeria. Identical to web fraud, it’s not in each case that cultism could be straight attributed to youth resentment. It’s a type of social organisation the place a gaggle of individuals is united by shared beliefs, values and practices. Cultism is undeniably one of many social vices setting the hand of the developmental clock of Nigeria backwards. The unabated atrocities of secret cults within the society proceed to take tolls on the lives of Nigerians (Mediayanose, 2016). Nigeria has a excessive unemployment fee, particularly among the many youths, which might make folks flip to cults for a way of belonging, objective and safety. As well as, the widespread inequality within the nation could make youths really feel marginalised and resentful, and that is able to making them extra receptive to the message of cults, which regularly promise to avail them energy, standing and sense of belonging.

iv.             Rituals for Wealth

Cash ritual, additionally known as “juju ritual” is a apply believed to deliver wealth and prosperity via supernatural means. In excessive and dastardly means, these rituals usually contain using human as sacrifice, in addition to manipulation of religious forces. Whereas financial hardship and unemployment could be causative components, rituals are additionally linked to the tradition of materialism and immediate gratification. The society locations a excessive worth on materials possessions and social standing, which emphasises on materials success that may result in unrealistic expectations and a want for fast wealth. Nevertheless, eradicating this apply requires a concerted effort from authorities companies, spiritual leaders, neighborhood organisations and people.

v.               Miscreants, Space Boys and Political Thugs

Miscreants, space boys and political thugs are destructive penalties of youth resentment in Nigeria. Miscreants are people who have interaction in petty crime, violence or different types of delinquent behaviour. Whereas space boys are sometimes seen as an emblem of city decay and dysfunction as they have interaction in actions equivalent to harassing passersby, demanding cash or committing petty theft. Political thugs are people used for violence, intimidation or menace to affect the end result of elections or political processes. It’s a widespread downside that includes using miscreants and space boys to hold out acts of violence.

vi.             Japa Syndrome

Japa is a Nigerian slang phrase that may be translated as escape or runaway. It’s the rising want amongst Nigerian youths to depart the nation in the hunt for higher alternatives overseas. This want is usually influenced by a way of frustration and resentment over the shortage of alternatives, financial hardship and social challenges confronted within the nation. A survey from the Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey revealed that seven (7) out of ten (10) Nigerians are keen to relocate to different nations for varied causes, with an excellent variety of them recording success. At the moment, there’s nonetheless the rising fee of an rising urge to depart Nigeria, particularly by the youths. Now, the present internet Nigeria migration fee is -0.273 per 1000 inhabitants, indicating that extra persons are emigrating from the nation (Olutudun, 2023). Consequently, this phenomenon fuels mind drain, lack of potential leaders, decreased cultural vibrancy and variety, in addition to erosion of nationwide satisfaction and identification. Japa is taken into account destructive the place the people involved to migrate illegally, particularly with using false paperwork or going via unlawful routes.

vii.           Insecurity

Insecurity is a fancy phenomenon with no simple options. It has develop into one thing of grave concern to all well-meaning residents. It may be characterised by terrorism, kidnapping and insurgency. Insecurity has develop into perversive, affecting people, communities and the nation at giant. It may be influenced by varied components and youth resentment is likely one of the contributing parts to this dire situation. The South-West is suffering from a surge in cybercrime, armed theft, kidnapping, home crime, extrajudicial killings, herder-farmer conflicts, ritual killings and banditry. The South-East is a haven for ritual killings, business crime, secessionist agitation, kidnapping, herder-farmer clashes and assaults by unknown gunmen. The North-East has been topic to humanitarian disaster, lasting over a decade and brought on by the Boko Haram insurgency and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). In the meantime, the North-West is enmeshed in unlawful mining, ethno-religious killings and banditry (Agbelusi, 2022). The North Central is residence to banditry, abduction, farmer-harder clashes, ethno-religious disaster and different varieties criminalities. The South-South homes useful resource management agitators, cultists, armed gangs, sea pirates, oil thieves and political thugs amongst others. The best variety of members and invariably the very best quantity casualties in these crimes are youth who’re lured into these actions by unemployment and the will to make fast fortunes. Naturally, it’s simple for teenagers to subscribe to and be influenced into subscribing to any of the safety threats because of unemployment, poverty, marginalisation, political instability and radicalisation amongst others.

viii.        Medication and Narcotics

Medication and narcotics use amongst Nigerian youths is a priority, with estimates suggesting that over 10 per cent of younger folks have used illicit substances. The frequent medicine utilized by youths embrace hashish, cocaine, heroin, and different onerous medicine. Nevertheless, because of resentment, which stems from an interaction of socio-economic and cultural components, some Nigerian youths flip to medicine and narcotics as a way of escape, searching for short-term aid from their frustrations and hardships. Particularly, a prevalence of 20–40 per cent and 20.9 per cent of drug abuse was reported amongst college students and youths, respectively. Generally abused medicine embrace hashish, cocaine, amphetamine, heroin, diazepam, codeine, cough syrup and tramadol (Jatau, et al, 2021).

ix.             Prostitution and Human Trafficking

The practices of prostitution and human trafficking are sometimes fuelled by poverty, lack of financial alternatives and desperation which have devastating penalties for people, households and society as an entire. Within the face of those challenges, some younger ladies and women flip to prostitution as a way of survival, searching for monetary independence in a world that has marginalised them. Consequently, prostitution usually preserve them trapped in a circle of exploitation, abuse and vulnerability. Equally, human trafficking networks prey on the desperation and vulnerability of younger ladies and women, luring them with guarantees of higher lives and alternatives.

Nigeria stays a supply, transit and vacation spot nation in relation to human trafficking. In keeping with the US Division of State (2022), Nigeria ranked 38/160 of the nations with the very best variety of slaves; 1.6 million and its Nationwide Company for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Individuals (NAPTIP) studies that the very best variety of trafficked individuals in Nigeria, which maintains its posture as a Tier 2 nation are ladies who’re 18+ (US Division of State, 2022). Nevertheless, the results transcend the person victims, thereby having ripple results on households, communities and society normally.

SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
Weaknesses
i.           Enterprising
ii.           Progressive
iii.           Nicely educated
iv.           Liberal Economic system
v.           Funding and Financing
vi.           Democracy
vii.           Abundance of Land

viii.           Authorities Platform (New Ministries of Inventive Economic system, Blue Economic system and ICT Economic system)

ix.           Giant inhabitants
x.           Giant democracy
i.           Docile and Laziness
ii.           Warped Training
iii.           Medication and Narcotics
iv.           Stereotype
v.           Thuggery
vi.           Fraudulent

Alternatives
Threats

i.           Greatest Economic system
ii.           Greatest Inhabitants
iii.           Greatest Democracy
iv.           Regional Market

v.           New International Coverage on Dignity, Diplomacy, Improvement and Diaspora

vi.           Mind Achieve
vii.           Renewed Hope Agenda
viii.           Change in Political Narrative
ix.           Unfavorable Picture of the Youth
x.           Unfavorable Picture of the Nation
xi.           Insecurity
xii.           Wasted Era
xiii.           Excessive Mortality Charges
xiv.           International Domination of Native Economic system

Conclusion

There isn’t any doubt that Nigeria as a creating nation, similar to many others of its like goes via severe challenges together with financial downturn, inflation, international financial recession, dollarisation of world financial system, devaluation of native foreign money, excessive price of governance, insecurity, dangerous governance and instability amongst others. These are all information of the current scenario which have all taken their tolls on the Nigerian youths. In the meantime, the survival instincts of the Nigerian youth, a manifestation of their resilience and resourcefulness have enabled them to navigate a dynamic and sometimes difficult panorama. These instincts, formed by each inner and exterior components, have led to various methods for coping, adapting, and striving in the direction of a greater future. Nigerian youths have demonstrated outstanding skill to determine and exploit alternatives, adapting to altering circumstances, and benefiting from restricted sources.

Recognising the significance of training, many Nigerian youths are actively pursuing tutorial and vocational coaching to boost their employability and prospects. Pushed by the necessity for self-sufficiency and financial alternatives, many Nigerian youths are venturing into entrepreneurship, establishing companies and creating employment for themselves and others.

Nigerian youths are showcasing their creativity and innovation in varied fields, together with arts, know-how, and social enterprises. Recognising the ability of collective motion, Nigerian youths are actively partaking in social actions, advocating for change and selling social justice. These are extra information associated and attendants to youths’ survival instincts in Nigeria.

Moreover, some Nigerian youths harbour fantasies of reaching fast wealth and easy success, resulting in involvement in dangerous or unlawful actions. The pervasiveness of social media and publicity to idealized life have created unrealistic expectations amongst Nigerian youths, resulting in emotions of inadequacy and frustration.

The pursuit of immediate gratification and materials possessions is resulting in a neglect of long-term objectives and private improvement of the promising youth inhabitants. Blaming exterior components and circumstances with out taking accountability for one’s personal actions can hinder private development and progress.

The unlucky perception of the youths in rituals for wealth, that training is a rip-off, that life overseas is the Golden Fleece, that medicine and narcotics are requirements for self-worth and that Nigeria is a failed enterprise amongst different negativities are all fallacies.

Survival instincts, when harnessed successfully, can drive constructive outcomes, equivalent to perseverance, resilience, and innovation. It additionally stems from a want for self-improvement, private development, and a greater future. Survival instincts may inspire people to contribute to their communities and work for the betterment of society. Therefore, Survival instincts could be guided by moral rules and a way of social accountability. Conclusively and based mostly on empirical research, it’s sure that if the youths can used, direct and deploy all their abilities, information, training and instincts positively, their scenario and that of the nation can be higher. It possibly time for us to offer extra youths alternatives in authorities whereas guiding them most appropriately.

Suggestions

i.                 Promote training and expertise improvement: We have to broaden entry to high quality training and vocational coaching to equip younger Nigerians with the abilities they want to reach the job market and pursue their aspirations.

ii.              Encourage entrepreneurship and innovation: We must always foster a supportive surroundings for younger entrepreneurs by offering entry to funding, mentorship, and enterprise sources. Have fun and reward progressive concepts and entrepreneurial ventures amongst youths.

iii.            Nurture creativity and inventive expression: We should proceed to encourage and help participation in arts, music and artistic endeavours, offering platforms for younger Nigerians to showcase their abilities and specific themselves.

iv.             Promote civic engagement and social activism: We must always empower younger Nigerians to take part actively in civic life, offering alternatives for them to interact in neighborhood service, advocacy, and decision-making processes.

v.               Handle socio-economic disparities: We should enact and implement insurance policies and programmes that may scale back poverty, enhance entry to healthcare, and deal with different socio-economic limitations that hinder youth improvement.

vi.             Fight discriminatory practices: Enact and implement legal guidelines and insurance policies that defend younger Nigerians from discrimination, violence, and disenfranchisement. We’d like t o revisit our quota system and federal character rules and insurance policies to make them reply to present realities. It’s obvious that each part of the nation now has abundance of human sources that may compete facet by facet with out discriminating towards each other.

vii.           Promote constructive position fashions and narratives: We must always develop nationwide and sub-national platforms to spotlight the achievements and contributions of profitable Nigerian youths, showcasing their resilience, creativity, and constructive affect on society.

viii.        Encourage open dialogue and mentorship: We have to create alternatives for intergenerational dialogue and mentorship, fostering a tradition of mutual understanding and help between younger Nigerians and skilled mentors.

ix.             Spend money on youth-led initiatives: The Nation ought to introduce affirmative motion to help and fund youth-led organisations and initiatives that deal with the particular wants and issues of younger Nigerians.

x.               Promote psychological well being consciousness and help: The Nation should present entry to psychological well being companies and counselling for younger Nigerians, addressing the emotional and psychological challenges they might face.

* Yusuf Lawal, Ph.D, fsi, FNIM, a Senior Analysis Fellow on the College of Abuja delivered lecture at Annual Lecture and Aeard Ceremony of Kwara Tabloid in Ilorin