Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has made a passionate appeal to Nigerian youths, urging them to take ownership of their future and reclaim the country from the grip of the older generation.
Speaking on Saturday at the 6th Annual Youth Leadership Conference held at the University of Lagos, Falana emphasized that the nation’s youth must “rise” to change the course of Nigeria’s future. The event, themed RISE 2025 – Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship, drew a vibrant crowd of young minds eager for transformation.
“Things aren’t how they used to be,” Falana remarked. “My generation had hopes and dreams that Nigeria would be one of the best nations in the world. We had dignity, we had opportunities. But today, you’re the ones suffering because of how things have turned out.”
He challenged the youth to confront the status quo, especially when they come into contact with those in power. “Quote me anywhere – Nigeria is not poor. We’re suffering from a poverty of ideas, not resources,” he declared.
Falana urged young Nigerians to get inspired by the legacies of great African musicians who used their art to fight for justice and truth. “Don’t wait to be leaders of tomorrow,” he said. “You must be leaders of today. Take back what is left of this country.”
Also speaking at the event, the conference convener, Olusegun Odufuwa, described the RISE theme as more than a buzzword—it’s a mission. “Nigeria is full of promise, talent, and diversity.
Yes, we face serious challenges like unemployment, poor infrastructure, and weak leadership. But the solution lies in you—the youth,” he said.
Odufuwa called on young people to be bold, resilient, and entrepreneurial, stating, “If Nigeria is going to rise, it must be on the shoulders of a new generation that’s ready to make change happen.”
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