The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has presented President Bola Tinubu with a list of eight critical demands aimed at alleviating the economic struggles faced by citizens, as anticipation builds for a nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
The demands outlined by the youth council include: enhanced transparency and accountability in governance; improved access to healthcare; education and skills development initiatives; support for agriculture; youth intervention programs; economic relief measures; a national youth conference; and a meeting with the National Security Adviser (NSA).
During a press conference in Abuja, Bishop Douglas Kanatapwa, the NYCN Vice President for North East, articulated the council’s concerns about the rising living costs attributed to President Tinubu’s recent initiatives to strengthen the economy and modernize outdated systems.
Kanatapwa stated, “The NYCN represents over 120 million Nigerian youths both domestically and abroad. We are here to discuss the impending hunger protests and present our recommendations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle Nigeria’s economic challenges.”
He acknowledged the government’s efforts to revitalize the economy but emphasized that these changes have disproportionately affected the youth, exacerbating unemployment and underemployment.
Addressing the pressing economic conditions, Kanatapwa noted that the planned protests have garnered significant support from youth leaders across the country. “Our National Executive Council (NEC), as well as our chapters across all states and local governments, are feeling the urgency to back these protests, which necessitates immediate action from NYCN leadership.”
He expressed concern over the NYCN’s exclusion from vital national initiatives requiring youth participation, despite their commitment to supporting national development.
To counter the ongoing economic difficulties, the council has proposed several measures, some of which are:
Immediate government action to lower prices of essential goods such as bread, garri, beans, yam, and rice.
Granting tax holidays to importers of consumables to help reduce prices.
Establishing a National Committee comprising youth representatives, government officials, civil society members, labor representatives, students, women, persons with disabilities, farmers, manufacturers, and religious leaders to develop effective strategies to combat hunger.
Furthermore, Kanatapwa requested a meeting with the NSA to discuss governmental strategies for addressing the high cost of living and a subsequent meeting with President Tinubu to deliberate on other national issues critical to maintaining peace and order.
He called for a National Youth Conference to facilitate discussions between government officials and youth leaders, aimed at identifying challenges and formulating both immediate and long-term solutions.
Additionally, the NYCN proposed the initiation of a national peer-to-peer program to mitigate support for the hunger protests, along with immediate economic relief measures, such as subsidies on essential goods and job creation initiatives targeting the youth.
Investment in vocational training and educational programs was emphasized as essential to equipping young Nigerians with necessary skills for the modern job market, alongside increased support for young farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs.
Kanatapwa urged the government to enhance affordable healthcare access for low-income families and expand the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve public health services.
He concluded by stressing the need for transparency and accountability in economic policy implementation, advocating for regular updates and open communication to build public trust.
Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, the NYCN President, expressed hope that President Tinubu would act swiftly on the issues raised, stating, “We conducted extensive consultations with NYCN members, and they are unified in their concerns about the country’s hardships. We urge the President to address these issues within the next 72 hours before the planned protests.”
Sukubo reassured the President that the NYCN would remain a reliable partner in addressing these pressing demands, emphasizing the importance of timely action to alleviate the struggles faced by Nigerians.
