By James Egbeola Jr
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa
Foremost lawyer and activist, Barr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has said that Nigerias large youth population must be harnessed and empowered for national growth and development.
The erudite lawer told a packed hall at the 12th annual birthday public lecture for Pastor E. A. Adeboye that unless the youth population is meaningfully garnessed,it will become a national liability.
The event was hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God and held at the RCCG Youths Center in Redemption City, Ogun state, on the 28th of February.
The lecturer drew on lessons from the church’s development work in places such as Redemption City and referenced the role of the National Youth Service Corps in mentoring young Nigerians.
Adegboruwa pointed out the size of Nigeria’s youth population, noting that about 70 percent of Nigerians are under 30.
With the country’s population projected to reach nearly 240 million, he said Nigeria must choose whether to use this large youth population as a force for growth or risk it becoming a source of unemployment and instability.
He explained that real progress will only happen through deliberate policies, improved education and practical skills training, rather than focusing only on academic certificates.
The lecturer pointed out key challenges holding young people back, such as poor quality education, lack of jobs, insecurity, weak systems, limited access to funding, and low digital skills.
To solve these issues, Adegboruwa encouraged a move towards practical, skill-based learning like technical, digital, and vocational training.
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He also called for youth-focused industries, especially in agriculture, with better access to land and funding, as well as stronger partnerships between the government and private sector to connect training directly to real job opportunities.
A central theme of the lecture was the need to build values and mentorship.
The speaker presented a “7Cs” framework; Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character, Contribution, Coping and Control; and called on churches, civic bodies and the Service Corps to expand vocational programmes, apprenticeship pathways and structured mentoring that prepare young people for both spiritual and economic life.
On political involvement, Adegboruwa mentioned the Not-Too-Young-To-Run law as an opportunity for young people to take part in politics, but said real actions are needed to truly include them in decision-making.
He warned against just giving young people symbolic roles and instead called for consistent and responsible platforms that allow them to actively participate beyond occasional discussions.
Concluding the lecture, Barr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) urged urgent, coordinated reforms, calling on government, faith institutions and the private sector to increase education funding, ensure safer conditions for national service, expand support for youth entrepreneurship, and turn constitutional socio-economic promises into concrete actions.
He warned that Nigeria’s youth dividend will remain unrealised unless young people are properly educated, gainfully employed and meaningfully involved in national life.
