The Digest:
Peter Obi has stated that over 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed, citing a recent ActionAid/Plan International report and calling the crisis a profound failure of political leadership and misplaced priorities.
Key Points:
- Peter Obi cited a report estimating over 80 million Nigerian youths are unemployed, calling it a global high.
- He described the crisis not as a youth problem but as a "leadership failure" driven by political greed and poor economic management.
- Obi contrasted Nigeria's figure with South Africa, where 60% youth unemployment translates to about 6 million people.
- He noted 75% of Nigeria's population is under 35, making this scale of joblessness a national emergency.
- Obi blamed successive governments for wasteful spending, corruption, and unproductive borrowing instead of investing in youth and MSMEs.
- He argued that Nigeria lacks leaders who intentionally create opportunities through production and transparent governance.
- Obi urged youths to engage politically to elect competent, compassionate leaders who will empower them.
Sources: Nigerian Tribune
