Renowned human rights lawyer and activist, Mr. Femi Falana, has called on Nigerian youths to rise up and reclaim their country. Speaking at the sixth Annual Youth Leadership Conference in Lagos, Falana urged young people to take charge of the nation’s future and redefine its trajectory.
The event, themed Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility, and Entrepreneurship (RISE 2025), was held at the University of Lagos on Saturday. During his address, Falana emphasized the need for the younger generation to challenge the status quo, confront the country’s leadership, and work towards a future where Nigeria can fulfill its promise.
Falana made it clear that the country had changed drastically, and the older generation had failed to ensure the growth and prosperity that they once dreamed of for Nigeria. According to him, the current state of the nation is detrimental to the youth, who are bearing the brunt of economic hardships, unemployment, and political mismanagement.
“You are suffering because of what the country has become. You have a duty to reclaim it,” Falana stated. “My generation didn’t go through what you are going through. We lived lives of dignity. We had dreams for this country to be one of the best in the world, and with our resources, we could have been a leading nation. But look at where we are now,” he added.
He urged the youths to challenge the powers that be, especially those in leadership positions who, according to Falana, are part of the same generation as the older activists and leaders who once hoped for a better Nigeria.
He also emphasized the importance of drawing inspiration from influential African musicians, whose music often contains powerful messages about justice and the need for social change. “You must listen to them,” Falana said. “Their songs are filled with wisdom that will inspire you to fight for justice and better governance in our country.”
A significant portion of Falana’s speech focused on the misconception that Nigeria is a poor country. He contested the narrative that Nigeria’s challenges were due to a lack of resources. “Our country is not poor. We suffer from material poverty because there is a poverty of ideas. We have all the resources we need, but the leadership has failed to harness them,” he argued.
Falana called for a mindset shift, urging the youth not to accept the label of being “leaders of tomorrow,” but rather to begin leading today. “You must be leaders today, not tomorrow. You must take back what has been left of this country,” he stated.
In his view, the younger generation has the power to transform Nigeria if they take action now and challenge the systemic issues of poor leadership, corruption, and mismanagement that have hindered the country’s progress.
The Convener of the program, Mr. Olusegun Odufuwa, also spoke at length about the significance of the event’s theme. He explained that RISE was more than just an acronym; it represented a call to action for the youth to actively engage in rebuilding the nation.
“Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. Our nation is rich with promise, bursting with talent, and vibrant with diversity. Yet, we are confronted with complex challenges—economic uncertainties, infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, and questions of leadership and governance,” Odufuwa said.
However, Odufuwa pointed out that amidst these challenges lies an opportunity for transformation. He emphasized that the future of Nigeria lies not only in policies but also in the people, particularly the youth. “If Nigeria is to rise, it must be on the shoulders of a generation that is resilient in the face of adversity, innovative in its thinking, socially responsible in its actions, and entrepreneurial in its spirit,” he said.
For Odufuwa, the conference was not just an event, but a declaration of intent—a vision for the future that everyone must work towards. He noted that although Nigeria faces many challenges, it also holds immense potential, and the youth must be the ones to unlock it.
Falana and Odufuwa’s messages resonate deeply with the struggles young Nigerians face today. With unemployment rates at an all-time high, many youths have found it difficult to build a stable future. This disillusionment with the system has led to widespread protests and calls for change. Young Nigerians have been at the forefront of movements like #EndSARS, demanding an end to police brutality and better governance.
The economic challenges facing Nigeria, such as inflation and the high cost of living, have also taken a toll on the youth. The oil-dependent economy, coupled with global economic pressures, has exacerbated the situation. With the country’s wealth primarily concentrated in the hands of a few, millions of young Nigerians remain unemployed or underemployed, struggling to make ends meet.
Yet, despite these challenges, Falana’s call to action seeks to ignite a sense of hope and responsibility within the younger generation. The idea is not just to be passive participants in society but to actively take control of their futures by becoming resilient, innovative, and socially responsible leaders.
In line with the theme of the conference, the emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship is particularly important. Nigeria is home to some of the brightest and most creative young minds in Africa, with many young people pursuing careers in technology, entertainment, and business. The rise of tech startups in Nigeria has become a symbol of the country’s potential for innovation.
Falana’s message encourages young Nigerians to leverage their talents and ideas to create new solutions to the country’s many challenges. Rather than waiting for a change in leadership, he believes that the youth can lead the way through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Similarly, Odufuwa’s call for social responsibility highlights the importance of youth involvement in societal development. Young people are often seen as the catalysts for social change, and their engagement in civic duties, community development, and environmental sustainability is crucial for a better Nigeria.
