Apparently, but we’re just trying to survive our 20s
They’ve been telling us this since we were children.
In primary school, they told us we were the leaders of tomorrow. In secondary school, they repeated it. By university, we had almost memorized the phrase.
Now we’re adults.
And somehow, tomorrow is still loading.
At this point, I’m not even sure I want to lead anybody. I just want to survive my 20s before they disappear faster than light.
Because what exactly is leadership when you’re still trying to figure out how to pay your bills?
Many Youth Don’t Even Know What They Are Doing With Their Own Lives Yet
There’s something funny about telling a generation they’re going to run a country when many of them are still trying to run their own lives.
One minute, you’re excited about your career.
The next, you’re calculating whether your salary can handle transport, food, data, rent, family responsibilities and the occasional desire to actually enjoy your life.
You start the year with a vision board.
By June, your biggest goal is:
“God, just let me see December.”
And honestly? That’s not laziness.
A lot of young Nigerians are working.
They’re building businesses.
They’re freelancing.
They’re creating content.
They’re learning new skills.
They’re applying for jobs.
They’re working two or three jobs.
They’re hustling.
They’re trying.
But sometimes, the environment makes even trying feel like an extreme sport.
Our 20s Are Supposed to Be Our “Fun Years”
Who started this rumor?
Because I would like to speak to them. Cos if I catch them, we’d both enter one trouser.
We’re told our 20s are supposed to be about exploring, travelling, making mistakes, falling in love, changing careers and figuring ourselves out.
Meanwhile, Nigerian youths are doing all of that while checking their bank balance every 15 minutes.
You want to travel?
Calculate flight prices. E chokeeee
You want to move out?
Calculate rent. Dat one na dieeee
You want to start a business?
Calculate capital.
You want to date?
Calculate transport and the expenses.
You want to rest?
Remember you have bills.
Even enjoyment now requires financial planning.
“Let’s hang out” has become a statement that needs a budget meeting.
And Then They Tell Us to Be the Leaders of Tomorrow
This is probably the funniest part.
How do you expect someone who is currently fighting for decent opportunities to wake up and say:
“Yes, I am ready to lead a nation.”
My brother, I haven’t even led myself to financial stability.
I’m still trying to figure out what career path makes sense.
I’m still learning how to manage money.
I’m still trying to understand why adulthood came with absolutely no user manual.
Please, let’s calm down.
But Maybe We’re Already Leading
Here’s where the conversation gets interesting.
Maybe the problem is that we’ve misunderstood what leadership looks like.
Because while we complain about the system, young Nigerians are quietly creating their own systems.
The young woman selling food from her kitchen.
The guy building an app.
The content creator turning jokes into a career.
The fashion designer running a brand from Instagram.
The graduate learning a skill because the job market isn’t cooperating.
The young person employing two people because they couldn’t find a job themselves.
The creatives putting Nigerian culture in front of a global audience.
These people may not be sitting in government offices, but they’re already contributing to the country.
Maybe leadership doesn’t always begin with a title.
Sometimes, it starts with simply refusing to give up.
We Are Tired, But We Are Still Trying
And perhaps that’s the most honest description of Nigerian youth today.
We’re tired.
But we’re still trying.
We’re frustrated.
But we’re still creating.
We’re complaining about the country and simultaneously trying to build something in it.
We’re looking for opportunities abroad while still hoping Nigeria can become better.
We’re figuring things out as we go.
Some days, we’re ambitious.
Other days, we just want to sleep.
And both versions are valid.
Because young people don’t have to constantly perform ambition to prove that they have potential.
Sometimes, surviving a difficult season is an achievement too.
Maybe Tomorrow Can Wait Small
So, on International Youth Day, please don’t give us another speech about how we’re the leaders of tomorrow.
We’ve heard it.
Instead, ask what young people need to actually thrive.
Better opportunities.
Quality education.
Jobs that pay people enough to live.
Support for young businesses.
Safe communities.
Access to resources.
And an environment where being young doesn’t automatically mean you’re inexperienced, disposable or easy to exploit.
Because we don’t want to spend our entire youth preparing for a tomorrow that never seems to arrive.
We’re already here.
We’re already contributing.
We’re already building.
We’re already trying to make something out of what we’ve been given.
And yes, maybe one day we’ll lead.
But for now?
Abeg, let us survive our 20s first.
Because these years are moving at a speed that even Nigerian internet providers cannot explain.
Happy International Youth Day.
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