Seyi Tinubu. Photo: Presidency
President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi, has urged young Nigerians to demand a place in decision-making, saying they must actively participate in shaping the country’s future rather than leave consequential decisions to older leaders.
He made the call on Monday at his 41st birthday colloquium in Lagos, themed “Shaping the Future Together”.
Seyi said young Nigerians must prepare themselves for leadership by learning from experienced leaders, understanding policy choices and contributing practical ideas to governance.
“Experience must make room at the table for the younger collaborators, while ambitious new leaders must use that experience to prepare themselves for responsibilities,” he said.
He said young people must recognise that decisions taken by current leaders would shape the economy they inherit and the opportunities available to their children.
“We cannot leave that work to others and expect to inherit precisely the country that we want. We must participate fully. We must be in the room where consequential decisions are being made and prepared and contribute usefully,” he said.
Seyi urged young Nigerians to take their responsibilities seriously when given opportunities to participate in governance, including studying policy documents, understanding the country’s history and asking difficult questions, even when doing so might be uncomfortable for their political allies.
“A seat in a room carries obligation. Read the documents, know the history, understand the choices, ask the difficult questions, get involved even if it’s an uncomfortable one on your own side,” he said.
Addressing members of the City Boy Movement and other support groups, he said political access should be used to develop competent people who could earn the confidence of their communities.
He also defended the economic reforms of his father’s administration, including the removal of petrol subsidy, changes to the foreign exchange system and tax reforms, arguing that the measures were intended to build long-term prosperity.
“A country cannot indefinitely consume what it should invest or reward access over enterprise and expect its younger people to prosper,” he said.
Acknowledging the impact of the reforms on households, Seyi said, “Changes have not been easy. Families whose budgets have been stretched, the pain was immediate, the lasting improvement more difficult to feel and touch, yet they are no less real.”
He argued that investments in roads, power, mining, manufacturing and agriculture could create opportunities for future generations, adding that infrastructure and stronger institutions would benefit Nigerians beyond the tenure of the current administration.
“I support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms because we will inherit a future built by leaders of today,” he said.
Seyi described legacy as an important measure of leadership and urged young Nigerians to demand opportunities to contribute to national development.
“Young Nigerians are ready,” he said, repeating the phrase for emphasis and describing them as a major force in the country’s enterprise and creativity.
The colloquium, themed “Shaping the Future Together”, was organised to promote discussions on leadership, enterprise, youth participation and national development.
It brought together political leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, business executives and youth advocates, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, former African Development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina, Lagos Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I.
Adesina delivered the keynote address, while discussions at the event centred on youth inclusion, leadership, enterprise and Africa’s development prospects.