Political economist and founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof. Pat Utomi, has criticized successive Nigerian governments for their treatment of young people, describing it as disrespectful and untrustworthy.
In an interview with Channels Television, Utomi stated, “Governments in Nigeria have not been trustworthy, let’s be very frank. They have treated young people like they are idiots repeatedly, and this is sad because most governments in Nigeria were first run by young people.”
Utomi highlighted that during the era of military rule, many leaders were in their 20s and 30s, yet a combination of military command structures and the influx of oil wealth led to the emergence of a rigid class system in the country.
Speaking about the proposed National Youth Conference planned by the administration of President Bola Tinubu for the first quarter of 2025, Utomi said for it to be effective, those in leadership must acknowledge the damage done to the youth over the years.
“For the youth conference to succeed, the government must first sincerely admit that it has brutalized young people, apologize to them, and make a commitment to rebuilding trust,” he said.
Utomi emphasized that building trust is critical for any government seeking to engage the youth meaningfully. He explained, “Any government that does not begin with recognizing that it is not trusted is wasting time. The first step is to start building trust through honest commitment.”
He further elaborated on the concept of an “emotional bank account,” where credibility is built by fulfilling promises. “Every time you say you are going to do something and you do it, you make a deposit in the emotional bank account. But each time you fail to deliver on your promises, you make a withdrawal,” Utomi said.
The economist concluded by urging the government to adopt proven models for trust-building and to prioritize integrity and accountability in its dealings with the youth.
