Imagine waking up one day to see Nigeria’s economy in a terrible state. There are no jobs, no chances to improve, and no hope for the future. Does that sound like a bad dream? Sadly, it’s the difficult truth for many young people.
The value of our money keeps dropping, which is a big problem. The Naira is losing its worth, making our hard-earned money worth less. Prices are going up, and people can’t afford as much as they used to.
It’s clear that if we don’t fix our system, young people will suffer the most. The numbers are very worrying – 33.6 million young Nigerians (ages 15-35) can’t find work, 60% of Nigerian youth live in poverty, and 1 in 5 young Nigerians have thought about moving to another country.
The World Bank has given a serious warning: Nigeria’s economic problems will affect the next generation. This warning feels like a heavy, dark cloud hanging over our future.
Our electricity systems are in bad shape, and it’s surprising we haven’t completely lost power. The idea of Nigeria being in complete darkness is terrifying.
Slowly, the harsh truth becomes clear. TPain’s lyrics come to mind: “It’s going down for real.” The value of our currency, the Naira, has dropped, making our money worth less. Prices are rising, and people can’t afford to buy as much. Hunger is a real problem. Families are struggling to find enough food.
In today’s Nigeria, people who can’t afford toothpaste use chewing sticks instead. Many Nigerians don’t have three meals a day; they barely manage with small portions. There are records of people going into the forest to hunt for food just to survive.
Our education system is old and doesn’t teach skills that are useful today. Healthcare is hard to get, making young people sick more easily. Many people don’t have access to technology and the internet. Unemployment is very high – 33.6 million young Nigerians can’t find jobs.
A friend told me about her problems: “I graduated with good grades, but I haven’t found a job in two years. My parents can’t afford to feed me anymore. I feel like I’m sinking.” Her story isn’t rare. The feeling of hopelessness is strong.
Thinking about our situation, it feels like we’re going backward, not forward. Focusing on differences and divisions has kept us from dealing with real problems. It’s time to ask for responsibility.
To prevent worse problems, we need to change things. We need big changes, not just small fixes. Young people want real change, including better education and healthcare.
