Youth and Nation Building – JSS3 Social & Citizenship Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Youth are young people in the stage of life with the most energy and fresh ideas, and nation-building is the process of uniting people to make a country strong, peaceful and successful.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define youth and nation-building.
2. Explain why youth are called the “Backbone of the Nation”.
3. State five roles of youth in nation-building.
4. Identify five challenges facing Nigerian youth.
5. Describe four opportunities open to youth today.
6. Suggest ways a JSS3 student can contribute to nation-building now.

Who is a youth?

A youth is a young person in the stage of life between childhood and full adulthood.

• Age range: the Nigerian National Youth Policy has defined youth as people aged 18 to 35.
• Wider meaning: youth is also the stage of life with the most energy and the freshest ideas.
• Desire for change: young people usually want to see things change for the better.

What is nation-building?

Nation-building is the process of uniting people to build a strong, peaceful and successful country.

• Meaning: it covers more than constructing houses or tall buildings.
• Community project: everyone gives their skills to make the “community” (Nigeria) work.
• Aims: unity, peace, good government, a strong economy and good citizens.

Why are youth called the “Backbone of the Nation”?

Youth are called the “Backbone of the Nation” because the country depends on their strength, skills and numbers to grow.

• Large population: youth make up a large part of Nigeria’s population, often quoted as over 60%.
• Energy: they supply the physical and mental power for national growth.
• Future: the country cannot move forward if young people are left behind.

What are the roles of youth in nation-building?

There are five main roles of youth in nation-building: innovation, advocacy, unity, labour and leadership.

1. Innovation and creativity

• Meaning: young people see the world differently and create new things.
• Examples: building a new app, starting a small business, finding a better way to farm.
• Effect: new ideas help the country modernise and grow.

2. Social change and advocacy

• Meaning: advocacy is speaking up for a cause or for people’s rights.
• Action: youth speak against injustice and demand good governance.
• Effect: leaders are kept accountable to the people.

3. Promoting national unity

• Where it happens: in school, in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and on social media.
• Action: making friends and working with people of all tribes and backgrounds.
• Effect: a more united Nigeria.

4. Labour force

• Meaning: youth provide the workers needed in offices, farms, hospitals and schools.
• Effect: hard work raises the nation’s wealth, measured as Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• GDP: the total value of goods and services a country produces.

5. Leadership for tomorrow

• Training: taking part in student unions, clubs and community groups builds leadership skill.
• Effect: today’s student leaders can become tomorrow’s local, state and national leaders.

What are the challenges facing Nigerian youth?

There are five major challenges facing Nigerian youth: unemployment, poor education, poverty, social vices and exclusion from decision making.

• Unemployment: many graduates struggle to find jobs, which leads to frustration.
• Brain drain: the movement of skilled and educated people out of the country to work abroad.
• Lack of quality education: some schools lack tools such as computers and laboratories.
• Poverty: lack of money can stop a gifted young person from reaching their potential.
• Social vices: drug abuse, cultism and cybercrime (Yahoo-Yahoo) destroy young lives and harm the country’s image.
• Exclusion from decision making: some older leaders do not listen to youth, so young people feel they have no say.

What opportunities are open to Nigerian youth?

There are four main opportunities for Nigerian youth today: the digital economy, entrepreneurship, political awareness and skills acquisition.

1. The digital economy

• Meaning: earning money through the internet and technology.
• Examples: learning coding, graphic design or marketing online.
• Benefit: a youth in a small village can work for companies anywhere in the world.

2. Entrepreneurship

• Meaning: starting and running your own business.
• Examples: fashion design, catering and tech start-ups.
• Benefit: the youth becomes a job creator and gives work to others.

3. Political awareness

• Tool: social media gives young people a louder voice.
• Action: join peaceful movements, learn about laws and encourage others to act.

4. Skills acquisition

• Meaning: learning practical skills that earn a living.
• Examples: solar panel installation, catering and cinematography.
• Source: government and private training programmes.

What is the difference between a job seeker and a job creator?

• Job seeker: a person who looks for employment from an existing employer.
• Job creator: a person who starts a business that gives work to themselves and others.

How can a JSS3 student help build the nation now?

A JSS3 student builds the nation by showing good character and taking part in useful activities.

• Honesty: avoid cheating in tests and examinations.
• Hard work: study well and finish school work.
• Unity: make friends with classmates from other tribes and religions.
• Avoiding vices: stay away from drugs, cultism and cybercrime.
• Service: join clubs, take part in clean-up exercises and respect school rules.
• Skills: learn a useful skill, such as computer use.

Nation-building starts with character. A youth who is honest, hardworking and law-abiding is already building the nation.

Evaluation

1. Define youth and nation-building.
2. In your own words, why are youth called the “Backbone of the Nation”?
3. List three ways a JSS3 student can contribute to nation-building today.
4. How does drug abuse hinder a young person’s ability to help their country?
5. Mention one opportunity technology has given Nigerian youth.

Assignment

Write a list of three challenges young people face in your community, and suggest one solution for each.