LAGOS, NIGERI — As the world marks International Youth Day, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Agege Constituency 01, Lagos State, Hon. Gbenga Abiola, has called on Nigerian youths to look beyond the challenges confronting them and focus on developing the skills, character and capacity needed to shape the nation’s future.
In a message titled “The Psychology of Becoming,” Abiola said the most important question confronting young people should no longer be simply “Who am I?” but “Who am I capable of becoming?”
He noted that youth development goes beyond age, describing it as a critical period for discovering purpose, acquiring knowledge, building capacity and preparing to make meaningful contributions to society.
According to him, Nigerian youths are growing amid economic pressures, unemployment, limited opportunities and rising social expectations, while social media has created additional pressure to measure success against carefully curated lifestyles.
He, however, urged young Nigerians not to allow present circumstances to define the limits of their aspirations.
Abiola stressed that education must go beyond certificates, success beyond money, and leadership beyond occupying positions, noting that true development is measured by competence, problem-solving ability, value creation and positive impact on society.
He encouraged young people to explore opportunities in technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship, creative industries and innovation, arguing that Nigeria needs youths who are not only searching for opportunities but are equipped to create them.
“Potential without discipline remains potential. Talent requires development, ambition requires character, and ideas require execution,” he said, urging youths to embrace competence, integrity, continuous learning, financial responsibility, collaboration and service.
The APC candidate also challenged the younger generation to honour the sacrifices of those who came before them while having the courage to improve upon what they inherited.
He emphasised that every generation receives an unfinished assignment, adding that the responsibility of today’s youth is to take Nigeria further than they found it.
Abiola further urged young Nigerians to reject the mindset that they are merely “leaders of tomorrow,” stressing that youths are already contributing to national development through businesses they build, skills they acquire, problems they solve, people they mentor and communities they strengthen.
He posed a fundamental question to Nigerian youths:
“What will Nigeria become because we became the best version of ourselves?”
He concluded with a call for young Nigerians to discover themselves, develop themselves, discipline themselves and use what they become to create value for others, noting that while their future is personal, its impact can be national.
