The event, held at the Red Chambers of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), featured Ogun Youth Assembly Chairman Amb. Habeeb Whyte as the keynote speaker.
His address, titled “Next-Gen Leadership: Youths at the Helm of Nigeria’s Political Future,” ignited a passionate conversation about the role of young people in shaping the nation’s destiny.
In his speech, Amb. Whyte emphasized the critical role of Nigerian youths in governance, noting that despite comprising over 60% of the country’s population, young people remain underrepresented in political leadership.
He argued that this disconnect between the ruling class and the youth must be bridged, and the solution lies in active youth participation in politics.
“The future of Nigeria is bright, and it lies in the hands of the young, vibrant, and innovative minds in this room and across the country,” he said, challenging young Nigerians to step forward and take charge.
Amb. Whyte highlighted the immense potential of Nigerian youth, referencing the success of individuals like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Burna Boy, and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji in literature, entertainment, and technology.
However, he questioned why such influence was not equally evident in politics, urging young Nigerians to expand their impact beyond these fields.
“The truth is, Nigerian youths are not just the leaders of tomorrow; we are the leaders of today. We have the energy, the creativity, and the determination to tackle the challenges facing our nation. What we need is the opportunity and the platform to lead,” he stated.
He outlined key pillars of next-generation leadership, emphasizing the importance of Leveraging technology to enhance governance and service delivery, Championing policies that create jobs, empower women, and support small businesses, Fighting corruption through accountability and actionable systems and Building bridges across ethnic and religious divides to foster unity and progress.
The Youth Assembly Chairman urged young Nigerians to take concrete steps toward political involvement, emphasizing participation, education, collaboration, and resilience.
“Leadership begins with participation. Join a political party, run for office, or support candidates who represent your values,” he advised.
“The greatest tragedy is not failure—it is success in the wrong assignment. The power to shape Nigeria’s future is in your hands. What will you do with it?”
