Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria’s Senate, has strongly criticised Nigerian youths for what she described as widespread complacency, endless complaints, and a lack of meaningful engagement with the nation’s political system.
In a recent chat with journalists, Senator Kingibe did not mince words as she expressed disappointment at what she sees as a troubling pattern among young Nigerians. According to her, instead of taking responsibility for the country’s future, most youths have settled into a cycle of passive discontent, often limited to social media rants and verbal attacks on political leaders.
“I have said it before, Nigerian youths are complacent. They are quiet, all they do is grumble,” she declared. “We need to have constructive interactions. All I hear is grumbling and insults. That is not helpful. The country belongs to the youths, they should own it.”
She noted that rather than coming together to demand change through organized action or clear policy agendas, many young people resort to half-hearted threats of strikes and protests that never materialize. “Instead of a proper agenda or programme, they will threaten a strike that everybody knows they are not going to go on. How does that achieve anything?” she questioned.
A Call to Action
Senator Kingibe, a prominent voice in the Senate and a key figure in the FCT’s political landscape, urged Nigerian youths to realise that they have a crucial role to play in reshaping the future of the country. “This is your country. Own it,” she said emphatically. “I do not have another country, so we have to make it work. We have to do whatever is necessary to make sure that this country works for everybody.”
Her comments appear to be a reaction to the growing frustration among Nigerian youths, many of whom feel disconnected from the political process due to decades of poor governance, corruption, unemployment, and insecurity. However, Kingibe argues that frustration must be transformed into effective civic engagement.
According to her, real progress can only be made when citizens—especially the younger population—take deliberate and coordinated steps to hold leaders accountable through democratic channels, policy advocacy, and constructive dialogue.
“I haven’t seen a concerted complaint,” she observed. “All I see from most people is about ‘me’. I want to see something different. I am sure other leaders want to see something too. All I see are young people who complain and constantly just insult their leaders. They do not constructively engage their leaders.”
A Familiar Criticism in a Time of Rising Discontent
Senator Kingibe’s criticism echoes similar sentiments shared by other Nigerian leaders in recent years. With over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the youth demographic is often seen as both the country’s greatest asset and, sometimes, its most frustrated segment.
The 2020 #EndSARS protests, which began as a movement against police brutality, were a rare example of mass youth-led civic action. However, the abrupt and violent end to the protests—marked by the controversial military intervention at Lekki Toll Gate—left many young Nigerians disillusioned and fearful of further confrontation with the state.
Since then, there has been a noticeable shift in tone among many youths, with political engagement often limited to online platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. While these platforms have served as powerful tools for raising awareness and calling out government failures, critics argue that they do not always translate to real-world change.
Senator Kingibe believes that the time has come for a shift from mere commentary to real activism. “Constructive engagement means sitting at the table, creating proposals, following up with representatives, and showing up where it matters—not just trending hashtags and viral insults,” she stressed.
Youths and the 2023 Elections
The debate over youth participation became even more intense during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections. For the first time in decades, there was a surge in youth interest, especially with the rise of outsider candidates who promised to challenge the status quo. But despite the energy and expectations, voter turnout remained low, and the political landscape largely returned to familiar faces and party structures.
Many observers blamed poor electoral logistics, voter suppression, and a lack of trust in the system for the low turnout. Yet others, including Kingibe, suggest that the problem also lies in a lack of sustained organisation and policy focus among the youth.
“You can’t just show up every four years during elections and expect magic,” a political analyst based in Abuja noted. “Change requires consistency, planning, and unity of purpose—qualities that many of our youth movements are still struggling to develop.”
Nigeria’s Future Hinges on Youth Involvement
With Nigeria battling economic hardship, widespread insecurity, and a growing debt burden, many believe that the active involvement of young people in shaping policy is now more critical than ever.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, youth unemployment stands at over 40 percent, while inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of millions. Education, healthcare, and infrastructure remain underfunded, and brain drain has reached alarming levels, with thousands of young professionals leaving the country in search of better opportunities abroad.
In light of these challenges, Senator Kingibe insists that finger-pointing is not enough.
“Nobody is going to save Nigeria for you,” she said. “You have to do the work. You have to be part of the solution.”
The Road Ahead
Whether her comments will inspire action or trigger backlash remains to be seen. Some have praised her for speaking frankly about a national problem, while others have accused her of dismissing the legitimate grievances of Nigerian youths.
However, what is clear is that the debate about the role of young Nigerians in the country’s political and economic future is far from over.
As Senator Kingibe put it, “The country belongs to you. The future belongs to you. But you cannot just inherit it by complaining. You have to take ownership.”
In the coming months and years, the test for Nigerian youths will be whether they can transform their online energy and street frustrations into coordinated action that leads to lasting change—at the ballot box, in the halls of power, and across the nation.
