Democracy Day: Tinubu to Youths – ‘Build Here, Code Here, Vote Here’

President Bola Tinubu on Friday urged Nigerian youths to stay and contribute to national development, saying the country’s future belongs to those who solve problems at home.

In his fourth Democracy Day address since 2023, Tinubu said: “To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”

The appeal comes amid sustained “japa” emigration of skilled young Nigerians, especially in technology, healthcare, and academia, seeking better economic prospects abroad.

Tinubu said democracy must deliver tangible economic benefits, particularly for youth.

“Democracy must be felt in the pocket,” he said, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the National Agricultural Development Fund’s plan to deploy 10,000 tractors in five years, and certification of over 1,000 SMEs for export.

He added that the current generation has a defining responsibility.

“Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence. The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity,” the president said.