Unic Press UK: The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, is facing deafening criticisms over his statement during the Commonwealth Business Forum that was held in London, in which he literally described Nigerian youths to be more interested in collecting government handouts’ than diligently working to earn a living.
During a panel discussion of the Commonwealth Business Forum, the Nigerian President was asked to express his thoughts on investment in the Northeast region of Nigeria, his expectations and vision for the continental free trade agreement and a common market in Africa, he said:
“We have a very young population. Our population is estimated conservatively to be a hundred and eighty million; and this is a conservative one. More than 60 per cent of the population is below the age of 30; a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria has been an oil producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free.” (Muhammadu Buhari: 2018)
Reactions
In a statement, the Coalition of Patriotic Nigerian Professionals in the Diaspora (CPNPD), which is based in the United Kingdom, said:
“The Nigerian President appeared to have little or perhaps no knowledge of the concept of the marketing mix. If he is sophisticated, he would have maximized the business and strategic opportunities in the global platform – Commonwealth Business Forum in London. Human capital and a strong workforce are indispensable in the advancement of a nation. So the statement by President Buhari, in which he derided the Nigerian youths, remains unbecoming. Buhari comment doesn’t sound good to the ears of would-be foreign investors.“ (Coalition of Patriotic Nigerian Professionals in the Diaspora: 2018)
“Utterances like this from people who wield enormous symbolic power like the president of the country gravely undermine efforts at national cohesion. It shows that even as a person who enjoys the perks and privileges of national leadership, he still sees Nigeria in dichotomous, mutually exclusive binaries: as “we northerners” and “they southerners. That he said this at a public event where he knew he could— or would— be recorded is what is even sadder than the fact that he said it at all. It shows that he, in fact, doesn’t even pretend to be a Nigerian nationalist who sees all of Nigeria as one. No past, not to talk of incumbent, head of state or president has ever said anything even close to this in public. If Buhari’s second term, which he appears poised to get, doesn’t end Nigeria as we know it, nothing ever will again.“ (Farooq A. Kperogi: 2018)
Following the comments, a hashtag #LazyNigerianYouths has been trending on the social media, with Nigerians expressing disapproval for their president’s comments.
I am an under 30 widowed mum of two after losing my husband to our failed medical system. I work hard, pay taxes, school fees, rent, help with children's homework and every other thing two parents would do while making sure my kids are happy. I am not lazy #LazyNigerianYouths
— Anthonia Egun (@Toniakandy) April 19, 2018
"Normally a president will say, 'come and invest here because we have a youthful and hardworking labor force that you need..' He just said the opposite." @MBuhari faces youth backlash in Nigeria.#LazyNigerianYouths https://t.co/ZWQApeiIhq
— CNN Africa (@CNNAfrica) April 20, 2018
Dear @MBuhari I am a lawyer but I have a small spot where I sell shawarma, burgers, smoothies, chicken wings e.t.c. in gwarinpa Abuja. I am not lazy atall. It is you who came into power to go for vacation for 103 days that is very lazy. #LazyNigerianYouths #LazyNigerianYouths pic.twitter.com/9qWX2KhRcE
— commissioner for Joy (@Mz_kayyy) April 20, 2018
Damage Control
Following vehement disapproval of President Buhari comment, his media team issued a statement, seeking to clarify issues. In a sort of damage control, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on 19 April 2018, said:
“There is no way President Buhari, father of the Nigerian nation in every sense of the word, who equally has biological children of his own in the youths age bracket, pass a vote of no confidence on all youths. It can only exist in the imagination of those who play what the President has described as “irresponsible politics” with everything.
President Buhari has always applauded and celebrated Nigerian youths who excel in different areas of endeavour, from sports, to academia, and other realms. And he will continue to do so, because he values the youths, and knows that they are the fulcrum on which the future of the country rests.”
