Famous human rights lawyer and senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, called on the rise of young Nigerians and face the challenges of the country by actively joining with those in authority.
Falana rose in 2025 at the 6th Annual Youth Leadership Conference in Lagos, the University of Falana, urging the younger generation to take back the country from older leaders, who, according to him, have already taken Nigeria from its true potential.
He stressed that it is time for young people to stop waiting for tomorrow and start leading today.
“When you can reach them, you will have to challenge those in power because some of them belong to our generation today. We have not suffered from your experience. We live a dignified life,” he said.
Farana recalls that his generation once had a lofty desire for Nigeria, which was supported by the country’s natural and human resources wealth.
“Our generation has dreams, real dreams for this country to become one of the best in the world, because we have a wealth of human and natural resources, which should make us the major countries in the world. But what happened?” he asked verbally.
He then accused the younger generation of the country of their obligations to reclaim and reimagine the future of Nigeria. As part of the awakening, he advised them to draw inspiration from the lyrical wisdom of legendary African musicians.
“It is your responsibility to take back the country, please, when you are going to listen to music in a ceremony of this nature, try to listen to some of the great African musicians,” added Farana.
The activist stressed that these young people can find courage, awareness and sense of justice in the messages these icons convey through music.
“You must also listen and be inspired to fight for justice in our country. You are often told that our country is poor. To quote me, ours is not poverty. We suffer from major poverty because our country has thoughtful poverty,” he said.
He refuted the shabby political rhetoric of young people becoming tomorrow’s leaders, saying the future is now beginning.
“They tell you that you are the leader of tomorrow. You have to be the leader today first, so you have to take back what’s left,” Farana concluded.
