Activism vs reckless behaviour

OBVIOUSLY, I am a Nigerian youth, and like many aggrieved others, I am deeply frustrated by the failures of our leaders from 1960 till date. I have watched my country, blessed with resources and potential, run aground by a system that thrives on corruption, incompetence, and impunity. I have seen how those in power manipulate the system to enrich themselves while the masses struggle with unemployment, insecurity, and a regular failing economy. But despite my bitterness toward bad governance, I have also learned that leadership is not just about complaining or shouting from the rooftops. It’s about responsibility, strategy, and discipline. Criticising the government is not a crime, but there is a way to do it effectively. Unfortunately, many young Nigerians have confused activism with reckless behaviour, believing that hurling insults at leaders is the same as demanding accountability. The question is no longer whether Nigerian youths deserve a chance to lead. The real question is: Are we ready to take over? One of the strangest developments among Nigerian youths today is how some derive joy from being arrested for unjustifiable reasons. There was a time when going to jail was a mark of courage. Activists like Gani Fawehinmi, Ken Saro-Wiwa were imprisoned for standing against oppression. But today, many youths go to prison not because they protested against injustice but because they insulted someone online.

Imagine wasting months of your life in prison, not for fighting against oppression or advocating for change, but simply because you called someone a derogatory name on social media. Many of these young people seem unaware of the power of communication. They fail to realize that activism is not about who can insult the most but about who can articulate their demands in a way that commands respect and forces change. The recent controversy surrounding TikToker Olumide ‘Sea King’ Ogunsanwo is a perfect example of this issue. Sea King was arrested and rearrested over allegations of cyberbullying against Pastor Enoch Adeboye and for previous videos where he allegedly insulted President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. While one could argue about free speech and the excesses of the Nigerian government in clamping down on dissent, it is also important to examine the approach many young people take when engaging in national issues. Sea King’s case is not about political activism; it is about a young man who believed that insulting public figures on social media was a legitimate way to engage in governance discourse.This is the difference between strategic activism and reckless behavior. Many young people today are not being arrested for championing meaningful change; they are being arrested for lacking discipline in their communication. The truth is, real leadership is not about constant rebellion.

Today, there are other forces misleading Nigerian youths. Many so-called influencers, “activists” and social commentators have made a career out of peddling false narratives and stirring unnecessary controversies. Instead of educating the youth on governance, policy, and leadership, they encourage them to see everything through the lens of tribalism, sensationalism, and personal attacks. History offers a stark contrast between past and present generations of young leaders. Many of Nigeria’s founding fathers assumed leadership in their youth, but they did so with discipline, intelligence, and a clear vision for the nation, even if I am not a fan of them, as many eventually failed the system. Yakubu Gowon became Nigeria’s Head of State at 31 during a time of crisis, handling a civil war with diplomacy and military strategy. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo were already shaping Nigeria’s political landscape in their late 20s and early 30s through intellectual discourse and political organization. Anthony Enahoro moved a motion for Nigeria’s independence at just 30 years old, not by making derogatory statements online but by engaging in national discourse with wisdom and purpose. These leaders were not perfect, but they understood that leadership required more than just outrage, it required strategy, tact, and responsibility. If today’s youth truly want to take over Nigeria, they must adopt the same approach.

Imagine a Nigeria where young people are given full leadership control today. If many of them treat governance the way they treat public discourse, through insults, cyberbullying, and emotional outbursts, would we see any real change? Leadership is not about shouting the loudest but about demonstrating competence, emotional intelligence, and an ability to engage in constructive debate. No serious country hands over power to people who have not proven their capacity to handle it. The older generation did not just wake up and assume leadership; they fought for it through education, political engagement, and well-thought-out strategies. In contrast, many young Nigerians today think leadership is about X rants, TikTok insults, and reactionary activism.However, if there is one positive thing about Nigerian youth, it is their ability to unite when it truly matters. During the #EndSARS movement, young Nigerians came together regardless of tribe, religion, or background to demand an end to police brutality. That moment showed that, when serious, Nigerian youths can be organized, strategic, and impactful. However,  that same energy has not been sustained. Instead of building on that unity to form a strong political movement, many have reverted to online bickering, personal attacks, and unnecessary fights over trivial matters. If young Nigerians truly want to take over, they must channel their collective energy into real political action rather than social media outrage.

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One of the biggest problems with Nigerian youths is that even those we consider potential leaders are falling daily, compromising their values once they get a taste of power. We have seen young activists who built their reputations on criticizing the government suddenly switch sides when given appointments. If we cannot even trust our own generation to remain steadfast, how can we trust them with leadership? This is why it is important to question the motives behind people’s criticism. Are they truly fighting for change, or are they just positioning themselves for political favor? If Nigerian youth truly want to lead, they must start by proving they are worthy of leadership. This means engaging with intelligence, not insults, constructive criticism and strategic activism will always be more effective than reckless name-calling. Leadership requires knowledge, so young people must invest in education, governance, policy-making, and economic development to be taken seriously. True change comes from structured movements and political participation, not just social media trends. Those in power will always resist change, and a serious youth movement must navigate these realities with wisdom, not naivety.

The older generation is not without blame, and their failures have fueled legitimate frustrations, frustrations deep enough to provoke anger. However, if young Nigerians truly want to take over, they must do so in a way that proves they are ready. Waking up to insult elders is not leadership. Recklessly posting defamatory statements online is not activism.

• Ogungbile writes in via [email protected]