These Hands Can Build the World: Reframing Nigeria’s Youth Bulge

A four-part series

Omobola Lana, Strategic Advisor Adara Foundation

Part 1: The Paradox of Two Plagues

The global economy is currently wrestling with two seemingly unrelated crises. Across Europe, and North America, factories, energy grids, and construction sites are stalling because there simply aren’t enough young hands to pick up the tools. An aging demographic and a decades-long societal push away from vocational education have left developed nations with a staggering structural deficit. Across Europe, the mathematics of the talent pipeline are broken: for every new apprentice entering the skilled trades, nearly three veteran professionals are retiring. The European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) estimates a staggering deficit of 2.1 million construction and technical workers across EU member states.

Meanwhile, here in Nigeria, the crisis is perfectly inverted.

Nigeria is home to one of the youngest populations in the world, with nearly 60% of our population under the age of 25. Yet, according to data from the International Labour Organization and local economic metrics, youth unemployment and underemployment remain stubbornly high, leaving millions of energetic, capable minds trapped in low-paying, informal survivalist jobs.

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For decades, domestic policymakers and international observers have viewed Nigeria’s young population with anxiety, routinely branding it a ticking sociological time bomb. But this perspective suffers from economic short-sightedness. What the world treats as an isolated demographic problem could actually be the missing puzzle piece to a global labor crisis. Nigeria’s youth bulge is not a burden; it can be the ultimate supply-side solution to the global trade skills deficit.

The mismatch between global demand and Nigerian labor supply persists because our educational institutions are still preparing youth for a domestic corporate market that cannot absorb them, while ignoring a ravenous global market that needs them. If we shift our perspective—viewing our massive youth population not as a liability to be pacified, but as a high-value human capital asset to be strategically developed—Nigeria can position its youth to build both the world’s infrastructure and, concurrently, its own.

The path forward requires looking beyond standard university degrees and tech bubbles. The world needs builders, technicians, and operators. And Nigeria has the raw human energy to supply them.

This is Part 1 of a four-part series. Stay tuned for the next edition as we continue the conversation on unlocking the potential of African youth.

About Adara Foundation

Adara Foundation empowers women and young people to contribute to Africa’s socio-economic development through education, skills training, funding support for small businesses, and the promotion of African arts and culture. Investing in the economic empowerment of women and youth is at the heart of our work. Since 2017, the Foundation has reached more than 22,700 beneficiaries through education, skills development, SME support, financial literacy, market access, health initiatives, and humanitarian support.

This article is part of the Foundation’s commitment to advancing conversations that inspire action and unlock the potential of the African youth.

Learn more at www.adarafoundation.org and follow Adara Foundation on Facebook (@Adara Foundation), Instagram (@adara_foundation), and LinkedIn (@Adara Foundation).

These Hands Can Build the World: Reframing Nigeria’s Youth Bulge

Presidency, Makinde clash over UN probe into Oriire school abduction

The rescue of 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has sparked a fresh political disagreement between the Presidency and Governor Seyi Makinde, following the governor’s call for an independent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and the victims’ prolonged captivity.

The victims, who were abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity in remote parts of the Oyo National Forest. Their release followed a coordinated intelligence-led rescue operation involving multiple Nigerian security agencies.

Although Nigerians have welcomed the safe return of the victims, Governor Makinde has insisted that the rescue should not mark the end of the matter, arguing that the incident raises serious questions that deserve transparent answers.

In a statewide broadcast after receiving the rescued pupils and teachers, the governor announced plans to seek an independent investigation involving relevant United Nations agencies, international human rights organisations and other accountability bodies.

According to Makinde, the objective is not to undermine Nigeria’s security institutions but to establish the full truth behind the incident and restore public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

“The reunion of these children and teachers with their families does not mark the end of this painful chapter. It marks the beginning of another responsibility—our collective responsibility to establish the truth,” the governor said.

He maintained that because the responsibility for national security rests with the Federal Government under Nigeria’s Constitution, Nigerians deserve a comprehensive explanation of how dozens of schoolchildren and teachers were abducted, held for nearly two months and eventually rescued.

Makinde called for a transparent investigation into whether there were institutional failures, operational lapses, negligence or any form of collusion that may have contributed to the incident or prolonged the victims’ captivity.

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He also announced plans to strengthen security across communities bordering the Old Oyo National Park, including tighter surveillance of access routes, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies.

However, the Presidency strongly rejected the governor’s proposal, describing it as unnecessary and politically motivated.

Reacting to Makinde’s comments, the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the governor’s position as baseless.

Speaking on the controversy, Onanuga questioned what the Federal Government would gain by allowing innocent schoolchildren and teachers to remain in captivity.

“What will any government or anybody profit from subjecting the children and teachers to such trauma for days?” he asked.

The presidential spokesman said it would take “a very bad mind” to suggest any conspiracy surrounding the rescue operation, adding that the successful mission should instead be celebrated as a major achievement by Nigeria’s security agencies.

“If somebody is reading any conspiracy into that, it is only somebody who has a very dark mind,” Onanuga stated.

The Presidency reiterated that the rescue resulted from weeks of painstaking intelligence gathering and close collaboration among the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Air Force, Amotekun Corps, local hunters and other members of the Joint Interagency Task Force.

Security officials disclosed that investigators gradually dismantled the terrorists’ logistics network, monitored communication channels and cut off supply routes before successfully securing the victims’ release without a large-scale military assault that could have endangered their lives.

The operation, however, came at a heavy cost.

Among those who paid the supreme sacrifice was Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac, a Nigerian Army officer who was killed after his convoy struck an improvised explosive device during an earlier phase of the rescue mission.

The rescued victims have since narrated harrowing experiences in captivity, revealing that they survived mainly on cocoyam, noodles and water from a nearby stream, while children were beaten whenever they cried, male teachers were chained and blindfolded, and the group was repeatedly forced to embark on dangerous nighttime treks through thick forests whenever the kidnappers suspected security operatives were closing in.

Security analysts say the disagreement between the Oyo State Government and the Presidency reflects differing perspectives on accountability rather than the success of the rescue operation itself.

While some believe an independent inquiry could help identify security gaps, improve intelligence coordination and strengthen Nigeria’s response to future kidnapping incidents, others argue that existing constitutional institutions are capable of reviewing the operation without external involvement.

Political observers also note that the disagreement comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, although both the Presidency and Governor Makinde have insisted their positions are driven by national interest rather than partisan considerations.

Meanwhile, the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention, trauma counselling and rehabilitation, while security agencies continue efforts to track down and prosecute all members of the terrorist network responsible for the abduction.

Presidency, Makinde clash over UN probe into Oriire school abduction

MSSN Commends Rescue of Abducted Oyo Students, Urges Sustained Fight Against Insecurity

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has commended the successful rescue and release of students who were abducted in Oyo State, describing the development as a major relief to the victims, their families, schools, and the nation at large.

In a statement issued by its National Headquarters in Abuja, the society praised the coordinated efforts of security agencies and government authorities that led to the students’ freedom, saying the operation underscored the importance of effective collaboration in tackling insecurity.

MSSN specifically lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces, other security agencies, and all individuals involved in the rescue mission for their courage, professionalism, and commitment to protecting lives.

According to the society, the successful operation reflects the dedication and sacrifice of security personnel who continue to work under difficult conditions to safeguard Nigerians.

The organisation also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government for their cooperation and support throughout the rescue operation, urging both administrations to sustain efforts aimed at ensuring that Nigerians can live, work, and pursue education in a safe environment.

While celebrating the students’ release, MSSN paid tribute to teachers and security personnel who reportedly lost their lives during the operation to rescue the victims and restore peace.

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The society described the deceased as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation and called on the Federal Government to honour them with appropriate national awards in recognition of their bravery, patriotism, and selfless service.

It also prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased and comfort for their families.

MSSN stressed that the successful rescue should strengthen Nigeria’s resolve to confront insecurity across the country, particularly around schools and vulnerable communities.

The society called on the Federal Government to intensify security measures to protect educational institutions, noting that every Nigerian child deserves access to education without fear of abduction or violence.

The organisation further appealed to the government and security agencies not to relent until all students and other innocent Nigerians still being held captive, particularly those abducted in Borno State, Kwara State, and other parts of the country, are rescued and reunited with their families.

It urged authorities to deploy all available resources to secure the unconditional release of those still in captivity.

Reaffirming its commitment to national development, MSSN pledged continued support for lawful initiatives aimed at promoting peace, national unity, security, and quality education.

The society also encouraged Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence and supporting collective efforts to address the country’s security challenges.

The statement was jointly signed by the 38th National Amir of MSSN, Engr. Mustapha Tajudeen Olumide, and the 38th National Public Relations Officer, Mallam Moshood Abiola Olatunbi.

MSSN Commends Rescue of Abducted Oyo Students, Urges Sustained Fight Against Insecurity