Japa: Our Youths’ Future, not in Europe, But in Nigeria-Adesina

Nigerian youth, according to Akinwumi Adesina, chief executive officer of the African Development Bank (AfDB), do not belong in the United States or Europe but rather in this West African nation on the African continent.

While accepting the esteemed Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership in Lagos on Wednesday, the former Nigerian Minister of Agriculture made this statement.

Nations develop economically when they retain their finest human capital at home and acquire extra resource skills abroad, according to Adesina, who spoke after serving as and past African presidents took turns praising his exceptional leadership in Africa.

A statesman of 64 years old, he bemoaned the “Japa” migration phenomena, made famous by the massive exodus of young Nigerians seeking better economic opportunities and job stability in remote places like Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

“This is not the way to develop sustainably,” Adesina said in a room filled with colourful figures, including former and current African leaders such as Samia Suluhu Hassan, the president of Tanzania, Sahle-Work Zewde, the prime minister of Togo, Victoire Tomegah Dogbé, Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, the president of the Union of the Comoros, and Azali Assoumani, the outgoing chairperson of the African Union (AU).

Successful countries have flexible immigration and labour laws that allow them to retain their top talent while attracting talent with specialised skills from other countries. Putting on his trademark bow tie, the AfDB chief declared, “We must make Nigeria a viable destination for people to stay and not a place to flee away.” He made a similar point about other nations.

I am not going to accept the idea that young people in Europe, Asia, North America, or anyplace else are the hope for the future of Africa and Nigeria. They need to thrive in Africa, where they can provide good jobs and reasonable wages for our youth, in my opinion.

“Having a demographic asset that turns into a worldwide negative externality is completely illogical. We should be proud of our demographic advantage and work to turn it into an economic powerhouse on a global scale.

“I firmly believe that their future lies right here in Nigeria,” Adesina said, recalling his time as agriculture minister for Nigeria from 2011 to 2015. He went on to say that this is why the AfDB launched a $614 million programme to back digital and creative businesses in Nigeria, with the goal of creating 6.3 million jobs and adding N6.4 billion to the country’s GDP.

The president of the pan-African bank also announced the creation of a new branch called the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank, which would focus on serving the needs of young people.

With no banks or other financial institutions, I can’t help but wonder how 477 million people are under the age of 35. This points to issues with market failure and absent institutions. and that is why we have established the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank, in accordance with the decision of the African Development Bank.

The selection of Adesina as the fourth laureate of the distinguished prize, which was instituted in memory of the late sage Awolowo, has been praised by nonagenarian elder statesman and ex-Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

The esteemed prize has previously been bestowed upon Wole Soyinka, a Nobel Laureate; Thabo Mbeki, a former president of South Africa; and Aare Afe Babalola, a prominent figure in the field of law.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), a former head of state, was also praised for being a worthy recipient of the honour, alongside Adesina. In addition to Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were also in attendance.

Present at the event were serving governors such as Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Alex Otti of Abia, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Usman Ododo of Kogi, and Mohammed Bago of Niger. Also in attendance were numerous distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. John Momoh, chairman of Channels Media Group, who presented Adesina’s citation.