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Public affairs analyst, Femi Akinkuebi, has urged the Federal Government to rethink its development strategy by placing Nigeria’s population at the centre of national planning.
He warned that failure to productively engage millions of young citizens would continue to undermine economic growth and social stability.
Akinkuebi, in a statement issued on Thursday, said successful nations such as China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia built their economies by transforming population size into economic advantage rather than treating it as a burden.
He argued that Nigeria’s youthful population remains an untapped goldmine.
He noted that China’s rise as a global manufacturing hub was driven by deliberate policies that tied industrial expansion to job creation for its people.
According to him, the Asian giant opened its doors to multinational companies with a clear condition: employ Chinese citizens and contribute to domestic productivity.
He said China’s massive investments in housing, transportation and industrial infrastructure were never political gestures but long-term strategies to keep millions engaged in productive work.
Akinkuebi lamented that despite Nigeria’s large and youthful population, national development plans do not reflect this demographic advantage.
He referenced a viral video from Niger State where young people were seen stoning the convoy of a public official, saying the incident symbolised wasted potential rather than mere indiscipline.
He warned that many government projects, especially roads and short-term construction works, do little to absorb the labour force compared to industries that can employ thousands for decades.
He argued that without industries to provide sustainable jobs, infrastructure alone cannot drive prosperity.
Akinkuebi maintained that population and development are inseparable and urged the government to align its economic agenda with the needs and capacity of its citizens.
He said countries that convert their population into productive assets thrive, while those that leave their citizens idle face persistent instability.
He posed critical questions for policymakers: Are we creating industries that match the population? Are policies designed to absorb millions into productive sectors? Are young people being turned into innovators, manufacturers, farmers and builders?
He stressed that unemployed youths are not the core problem but symptoms of a system that has failed to give them purpose.
Akinkuebi said Nigeria stands at a decisive moment and must choose between continuing a politics-driven development model or adopting a population-driven approach that unlocks productivity and national wealth.
“Population is not our problem — our failure to use it intelligently is,” he said, adding that the day Nigeria begins to transform its population into economic producers will mark the beginning of its true rise.
