Haske urges investment in Nigerian youth for future progress

Businessman and development advocate Abdulrahman Haske has stressed the critical role of Nigerian youth in shaping the nation's future, provided they receive adequate support and opportunities. Speaking at an International Youth Day event in Yola, Adamawa State, Haske identified shared aspirations among young Nigerians: quality education, decent employment, security, and meaningful participation in governance.

Haske pointed to the Northeast region's specific challenges, citing UNICEF data that approximately 2.8 million children in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states need educational support due to conflict and insecurity. He described these figures as a stark warning, noting that the educational crisis directly impacts employability and long-term economic growth.

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For Adamawa, these are not just statistics. These are our communities, our children and our future workforce.

"For Adamawa, these are not just statistics. These are our communities, our children and our future workforce," Haske stated, urging honest acknowledgment that more action is needed. He advocated for youth empowerment to move beyond mere rhetoric, calling for practical initiatives that offer quality education, digital skills, mentorship, and access to capital and markets.

"Young people need more than slogans about empowerment. We must create conditions where businesses can grow, innovation can thrive and jobs can be created at scale," Haske added. He proposed a comprehensive youth agenda for the Northeast, linking education to skills, skills to employment, entrepreneurship to markets, and political participation to decision-making. Rebuilding damaged educational infrastructure and ensuring continuous access to learning were also highlighted as crucial for sustainable development.

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Young people need more than slogans about empowerment. We must create conditions where businesses can grow, innovation can thrive and jobs can be created at scale.