Nigeria risks instability unless leaders act swiftly to tackle youth unemployment, the newly elected President of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Comrade Jethro Annum, has warned.
Alarming Statistics
On Saturday in Abuja, the Yakubu Shendam-led Board of Trustees inaugurated Annum and his executive team.
Immediately after, Annum criticised the latest unemployment figures, stressing that the marginal fall from 8.0% to 7.5% meant little when youth underemployment still exceeds 10%.
“The reality is stark,” he declared.
“Unempowered youths do not only fall behind; they also threaten the very future of our country.”
Bold Vision
Moving from warning to vision, Annum outlined his plans to reposition the NYC as a force for solutions.
He pledged to work with government, businesses, and global development organisations to deliver sustainable initiatives.
These include vocational training schemes, entrepreneurship hubs, technology innovation labs, and agricultural projects.
According to him, such programmes will not just create jobs but also cultivate job creators.
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Call For Unity
Furthermore, Annum stressed inclusivity as the cornerstone of his leadership.
“This is your Congress,” he told Nigerian youths.
“Your struggles and aspirations will guide our journey.
We will value every idea, count every voice, and carry along every young person, regardless of tribe or religion.”
In addition, he invited political leaders, stakeholders, and development partners to join forces with the Congress.
He urged them to channel the nation’s vast youth energy into productivity, creativity, and innovation instead of leaving it idle.
Earlier in the ceremony, Shendam challenged the new NYC leadership to negotiate stronger opportunities for young Nigerians across political divides as the country heads toward the 2027 general elections.
