“The Role of Educated Youths in Transforming Nigeria’s Political and Administrative Landscape”
http://www.newsportng.com.ng Youths possess the vigour, creativity, and dynamism to shape the socio-political and economic direction of a nation. In Nigeria, this group constitutes the most vibrant segment of the population, representing both the present and the future. Their energy, intellect, and innovation remain indispensable assets in the quest for national development. However, their potential has not been fully harnessed due to limited access to positions of leadership and governance.
It is often said that “those of us who have painstakingly gone to school, passed through school, and allowed school to pass through us” should not be relegated to the background in national affairs. Education refines the mind, broadens perspectives, and equips individuals with the analytical tools needed to make sound policy decisions. Nigeria, at this critical juncture in its democratic and developmental journey, needs not just leaders but enlightened leaders — individuals who can combine knowledge with integrity and vision to move the country to the next level.
Philosophers and scholars have long emphasised the importance of wisdom and intellect in leadership.
Socrates, the great Greek philosopher, once posited that “until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, the cities will never have rest from their evils.” This profound assertion underscores the need for governance to be entrusted to individuals who possess not only ambition but also knowledge, reflection, and moral grounding. In the Nigerian context, this translates to a call for educated youths — those who understand the complexity of governance and the demands of modern public administration — to be given the opportunity to serve.
Moreover, many scholars have argued that power should not be handed to those who are desperately fighting for it, but rather to those who have prepared themselves through learning, service, and self-discipline. True leadership is not about aggression or political desperation; it is about readiness, competence, and a genuine desire to serve humanity. The present generation of Nigerian youths, especially those who have devoted themselves to academic and professional excellence, represent a reservoir of competence and patriotism waiting to be tapped.
To exclude these bright minds from leadership is to deny the nation the intellectual and moral capital it needs to thrive. The complexity of today’s governance challenges — from economic diversification and digital innovation to environmental management and institutional reform — demands leaders who understand both the science and the art of administration. It is therefore imperative for society to create pathways that enable educated youths, academics, and professionals to assume leadership roles across all tiers of government.
A Nigeria that wishes to progress cannot afford to keep its best brains on the sidelines. From the positions of councillors and local government chairmen to seats in state Houses of Assembly, the National House of Representatives, and the Senate, there should be a deliberate inclusion of intellectually sound and morally upright individuals. When governance is guided by knowledge and conscience, policies become people-centred, corruption diminishes, and development becomes sustainable.
In conclusion, this is a clarion call to political parties, traditional institutions, and the wider society: let us begin to entrust power and responsibility to our educated youths and members of the academia. They have the intellectual competence, administrative insight, and patriotic spirit to transform Nigeria into a nation that truly works for all. By doing so, we will not only be honouring the wisdom of Socrates but also laying the foundation for a prosperous and just society built on knowledge, integrity, and service.
Dr. Sule Kabiru, PhD
Good Governance and Egalitarian Society Advocate
Email:kabirudkn@yahoo.com
