Nigeria’s Youth at a Crossroads, Challenges and Uncertain Futures by Innocent Eneta
Nigeria’s Youth at a Crossroads, Challenges and Uncertain Futures by Innocent Eneta
A critical questions about the aspirations of the Nigerian government and the future they envision for the country’s youth.
The pressing queries, which have gripped the thoughts of many, stem from a recent judicial directive issued by Justice Ahmed Mohamed of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The order, initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, entails the freezing of the accounts of 19 Nigerian youths who have been actively exercising their rights as citizens of the nation.
These 19 young Nigerians, each holding accounts with financial institutions specified in Justice Mohammed’s directive and endorsed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, now find themselves confronting a multitude of challenges. These challenges could potentially catalyze a broader demand for a comprehensive overhaul of the current administration led by President Buhari.
The banks implicated in this affair, including Access Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank of Africa, and Zenith Bank, are currently facing severe scrutiny from the youth. Many among them are now inclined to retain their financial resources within the nation rather than entrust them to any of the banks specified in the court’s directive, stemming from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s legal action.
In conversations with several young individuals in Lagos and various states across Nigeria, it is evident that they have lost faith in the affected banks. They assert that their financial privacy is no longer safeguarded, and their security as young citizens has been encroached upon by the government. In discussions with a counsellor, it is evident that the youth’s trust in the Nigerian government and the state itself has dwindled significantly. There is a pressing need for the government to declare an emergency in rebuilding the trust that has been eroded by the disillusioned populace.
The future prospects for Nigerian youths and the promises made by their leaders are now clouded in uncertainty. It appears that they are no longer able to advocate for their rights effectively.
