A public affairs analyst and community leader, Hon. Oke Rotimi Michael, has challenged Nigerian youths to redirect their energy from entertainment to civic responsibility, warning that failure to act ahead of the 2027 elections may cost them their future.
Drawing a sharp contrast between recent youth-led protests in Nepal and a Jollof Rice festival in Nigeria, Hon. Rotimi questioned the priorities of Nigerian Gen Zs. “While Nepalese youths occupied the streets to demand a better future, ours danced, feasted, and cheered at a cooking event,” he wrote.
In his commentary, he noted that the viral support for Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci was commendable, but lamented that such energy rarely translates into political participation, such as voter registration or issue-based activism. “Guinness has certified Hilda for Jollof Rice,” he quipped. “But who will certify our youths for their future?”
The commentary also touched on rising issues among Nigerian youths, like drug abuse, cultism, online betting, and social apathy, suggesting these are symptoms of deeper disillusionment and lack of leadership direction. He stressed the need for unified action against vote-buying, electoral violence, and political manipulation.
Hon. Rotimi also called on Nigerian leaders to redirect the energy of the youth towards nation-building by emphasizing the power of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that despite the current challenges, hope remains if the right values are instilled.
“As leaders, we must redirect this fire. We must teach our youths that their PVC is their strength. Without it, they are voiceless. With it, they can shape tomorrow.”
He urged political and community leaders to take up the responsibility of voter education, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the future of Nigeria depends on the active civic participation of its young population.
As Nigeria prepares to mark another Independence Day, Hon. Rotimi further called on leaders, civil society, and the media to begin mobilizing the youth, urging them to see their PVC as a tool of transformation, not just a civic formality.
He concluded by telling Nigerian youths not to let history remember them for just dancing to Jollof rice beats, noting that 2027 is not a joke but a battle for Nigeria’s democratic soul.