Prominent human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has issued a clarion call to young Nigerians, urging them to reclaim the country from the older generation and chart a new course for the nation’s future.
Speaking at the 6th Annual Youth Leadership Conference at the University of Lagos centered around the theme Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship (RISE 2025) Falana stressed the urgency of youth-led transformation.
He reflected on the Nigeria of his youth, expressing dismay at the country’s current state.
“You’re bearing the brunt of a broken system,” he said. “Now is the time to stand up, question the status quo, and take your place in history. We once dreamed of a Nigeria that would rival the best in the world, but that dream is fading. It’s your job to revive it.”
Falana encouraged attendees to draw strength from Africa’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage, noting the power of music, history, and ideas to inspire lasting change.
Challenging the idea that Nigeria is poor, he asserted, “We are not lacking in resources—we are lacking in vision. There is a poverty of ideas, not wealth. Stop waiting to be tomorrow’s leaders. Be today’s.”
Conference convener, Mr. Olusegun Odufuwa, described RISE as more than just a theme—it’s a declaration.
“Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment,” he said. “Yes, there are real challenges economic instability, unemployment, poor infrastructure but there is also real opportunity. Our nation’s rise depends on a generation that is bold, creative, and committed to progress.”
