The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has declared that Nigeria can no longer afford to treat young people as “leaders of tomorrow,” insisting that they must be deliberately prepared to assume positions of leadership and influence the country’s future now.
Speaking on Tuesday at the unveiling of the Leadership for Equity, Advocacy and Development Fellowship, organised by the Gender Mobile Initiative at the National Assembly, Abuja, Abbas said Nigeria’s democratic future depends on raising a generation of ethical, competent and institutionally minded leaders.
Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, the Speaker said leadership is not merely about occupying public office but about responsibility, accountability and respect for democratic institutions.
“It is high time we prepared young people for power. As the trustees of our tomorrow, they must understand how government works and how to use political office to change society for the better. Without this preparation, they risk squandering the opportunity to effect real, lasting good,” Abbas said.
He stressed that with Nigeria’s youthful population playing increasingly active roles as voters, entrepreneurs and innovators, they should no longer be confined to the future.
