Renowned human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has called on Nigerian youths to take charge of the nation’s future by reclaiming and redefining the country.
Falana made the call on Saturday while speaking at the sixth Annual Youth Leadership Conference, themed Resilience, Innovation, Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship (RISE 2025), held at the University of Lagos.
According to the senior lawyer, the current state of Nigeria is a far cry from what it used to be, and the burden now lies on the younger generation to restore and reshape the nation.
“You must challenge those in power when you have the opportunity,” Falana urged. “Many of today’s leaders belong to my generation, and we did not experience the kind of hardship you’re facing now. We lived with dignity.”
Reflecting on the past, he said: “My generation had genuine dreams of making Nigeria a global leader, given our abundant human and natural resources. Unfortunately, those dreams have not materialized.”
Falana emphasized the importance of cultural awareness and inspiration through African music, urging youths to draw strength from the works of legendary African musicians. “These songs can inspire and awaken you,” he noted.
Also speaking at the event, the programme convener, Olusegun Odufuwa, described the RISE theme as more than just an acronym. “It’s a call to action,” he said, stressing the importance of youth involvement in driving meaningful change.
