Renowned human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on Nigerian youths to take charge of the nation’s future by actively reclaiming and redefining the country.
Falana made the call on Saturday, April 12, during the sixth Annual Youth Leadership Conference held at the University of Lagos.
The event, themed Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship (RISE 2025), brought together young leaders and changemakers to engage in discussions about the future of the nation.
Addressing participants, Falana lamented the current state of the country and highlighted the stark contrast between the experiences of his generation and those of the present-day youth.
He urged the younger generation to rise, take responsibility, and boldly challenge those in power.
“You will have to challenge those who are in power when you have access to them, because some of them in power today belong to our generation. We didn’t suffer what you are going through. We lived a life of dignity.” he said.
Falana recalled how his generation once held high hopes of Nigeria becoming one of the greatest countries in the world, owing to its abundant human and natural resources.
“My generation had dreams, genuine dreams, about this country becoming one of the best in the world, because we have abundant human and natural resources that should make us a leading country in the world. But what has happened?” he asked.
He charged the youth to reclaim those lost dreams and take responsibility for the country’s revival.
“Your generation has a duty to reclaim the country, and please, when you are going to listen to songs in ceremonies of this nature, please try and listen to some of the great African musicians,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Convener, Olusegun Odufuwa, emphasized that the theme of the conference—RISE—was more than just an acronym.
He described it as a rallying call for Nigerian youths to step up, embrace leadership, and take actions.
