As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence Day, youth leadership advocate and social entrepreneur Precious Eniayekan issued a powerful call to action, urging citizens to move beyond complaints and commit to building the nation by raising a new generation of competent, ethical, and visionary leaders.
In a widely shared statement on LinkedIn, Eniayekan — founder of The Stellar Initiative and Boycode Africa — reflected on the daily realities that challenge the country’s progress, citing the example of a “brilliant 24-year-old with a First Class degree hawking water on the Lekki-Epe Expressway because ‘nobody is hiring’.” She contrasted this with political leaders who, despite winning elections with lofty promises, often lack the skills to manage resources and deliver results.
“I don’t like Nigeria,” Eniayekan wrote. “I love her. And anyone who’s ever loved anything knows: love is not passive. Love demands sacrifice, action, and the courage to build what seems impossible.”
The social entrepreneur criticized the nation’s tendency to celebrate academic degrees while neglecting the cultivation of wisdom, character, and critical thinking. She argued that Nigeria’s future depends not only on economic indicators or natural resources but on the quality of its leaders. “A corrupt accountant is as dangerous as a corrupt politician,” she said. “A brilliant engineer with no empathy will build systems that harm people.”
Emphasizing that true leadership must be nurtured early, Eniayekan insisted that governance should “start at 15, not at 35,” when young people are forming their values and worldviews. Through Boycode Africa, she said, her organization is “building the leaders Nigeria needs, one boy at a time” — boys who are not content to complain from the sidelines but are instead learning to confront challenges head-on.
On the symbolic occasion of the nation’s independence anniversary, Eniayekan urged Nigerians to translate their patriotism into tangible actions, however small: mentoring a young person, hiring a graduate without influential connections, funding a scholarship, or teaching a practical skill within their communities.
“Loving Nigeria,” she added, “means starting a business in an economy that fights you at every turn. Loving her means staying even when the visa is approved. Loving her means believing in a future you may not live to see.”
Eniayekan’s message resonated widely online, striking a chord with many Nigerians frustrated by governance failures yet inspired by grassroots movements working to reshape the country’s future. Her call reflects a growing sentiment among the nation’s youth that leadership renewal — grounded in competence, character, and compassion — is key to breaking the cycle of underdevelopment.
