Businessman, politician and development advocate, Abdulrahman Haske, has reaffirmed his belief in the capacity of young people to drive economic growth, social progress and political transformation in Adamawa State, the Northeast and Nigeria, provided they are given access to opportunities, skills and leadership platforms.
Mr Haske made the assertion while speaking as a guest lecturer at the Dinner Lecture organised to commemorate International Youth Day 2026 by the Office of the Adviser to the Adamawa State Governor on Youth Empowerment, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Government, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yola.
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Speaking on the sub-theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” Haske noted that despite their differing realities, young people across Nigeria share common aspirations: quality education, decent jobs, security, dignity, entrepreneurship opportunities and meaningful participation in governance.
According to him, Nigeria’s youthful population remains one of its greatest assets, but unlocking its potential requires deliberate investment, particularly in regions facing developmental and security challenges.
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Highlighting conditions in the Northeast, Mr Haske said conflict, poverty, displacement and limited economic opportunities continue to undermine youth development. He referenced data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) showing that about 2.8 million children across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States require education-in-emergencies support, while hundreds of schools remain closed and many classrooms have been damaged or destroyed by conflict and insecurity.
Describing the figures as a wake-up call, Mr Haske said the educational crisis extends beyond the classroom and directly affects employability, entrepreneurship, innovation and long-term economic growth.
“For Adamawa, these are not just statistics. These are our communities, our children and our future workforce. While significant efforts have been made, we must be honest that more needs to be done to ensure that every young person can learn, grow and contribute meaningfully to society,” he said.
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He stressed that youth empowerment must move beyond rhetoric to practical interventions that provide young people with quality education, digital and technical skills, mentorship, access to capital, technology and markets.
“Young people need more than slogans about empowerment. We must create conditions where businesses can grow, innovation can thrive and jobs can be created at scale,” Haske noted.
The entrepreneur further called for a comprehensive youth agenda for the Northeast that links education to skills acquisition, skills to employment, entrepreneurship to markets and political participation to real decision-making. He also advocated rebuilding damaged learning infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted access to education as critical components of sustainable development.
On governance, Mr Haske urged greater inclusion of young people in leadership and decision-making processes. “Young people should not simply be mobilised during election cycles. They must be empowered to participate, contribute ideas and take leadership responsibilities. Politics must become a platform for service, innovation and problem-solving,” he said.
He noted that while young Nigerians face different challenges, their aspirations remain the same.
“A young entrepreneur in Abuja may worry about finance and market access, while a young person in Adamawa may be dealing with displacement, insecurity or interrupted education. Yet both desire a fair opportunity to build a meaningful life,” he added.
Mr Haske urged government, the private sector, development partners and community leaders to increase investments in education, agriculture, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, technical training and the creative economy, noting that such investments would reduce poverty and unemployment while empowering young people to become drivers of development.
Addressing young people directly, he encouraged them not to allow present circumstances to define their future.
“Keep learning. Keep building. Stay involved in your communities and prepare yourselves to lead. The future of Adamawa and Nigeria will be shaped by young people who are willing to innovate, create solutions and serve,” Haske charged the youths.
Reaffirming that young people are an asset to be invested in, Haske called on leaders to move beyond symbolic celebrations and focus on building systems that create opportunities every day.
“We cannot afford to lose another generation to poverty, insecurity or lack of opportunity. The reality that 2.8 million children across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe still require emergency education support should challenge all of us to act with urgency. Investing in our young people today is the surest path to achieving inclusive growth, lasting peace and sustainable development,” he said.
Signed:
Abdulgaffar Ahmed
Publicity Secretary to Hon. Abdulrahman Haske
Yola, Adamawa State
13 August, 2026
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