Compiled by :
Princess Dr Omolabake Kosoko-King.
International Youth Day(IYD) 2025
Take the Lead in Building a Sustainable, Equitable Society. Showunmi Urges Youth
As the world commemorates International Youth Day 2025, Nigerian political advocate Segun Showunmi has issued a powerful call to action: Take the lead in creating a sustainable and equitable society. His message resonates deeply with this year’s global theme, which celebrates youth as catalysts for peace, innovation, and justice.
🔥 A Call to Purposeful Leadership
Speaking to young Nigerians and the broader diaspora, Showunmi emphasized that the future of the nation—and indeed the planet—rests in the hands of its youth. He urged them to rise above apathy and cynicism and instead embrace their role as architects of change. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow, he said, you are the moral compass and creative force of today.
🌱 Why Youth Leadership Matters
This year’s IYD marks a decade since the adoption of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With over 1.9 billion young people globally, their involvement is not optional. it’s essential. From climate action to equitable energy access, youth are already leading transformative efforts.
In Yemen, young entrepreneurs launched Dorri, a business creating educational toys from local materials, proving that innovation can thrive even in conflict zones.
Across Africa, youth voices are driving clean energy transitions, demanding investment in solar power and inclusive policies.
In Namibia, over 250 youth leaders gathered for the Commonwealth Youth Dialogue, crafting a forward-looking declaration rooted in lived experience and bold aspirations.
🗣️ Showunmi’s Vision for Nigerian Youth
Showunmi’s message is especially poignant for Nigerian youth, who face challenges ranging from unemployment to political disenfranchisement. Yet, he believes their resilience and creativity can reshape the nation. He called for:
Active civic engagement participating in governance, advocacy, and community building.
Sustainable innovation using technology and indigenous knowledge to solve local problems.
Equity-driven leadership ensuring that no one is left behind, especially in marginalized communities.
✨ A Yoruba Blessing for the Journey Ahead
To all young changemakers, may this blessing guide your path:
Ẹ jẹ́ ká gbé orí jù, ká fi ìmúra àti ìmúrasílẹ̀ ṣe àkóso ayé wa. Ọmọde tó mọ̀ọ́mọ̀, ló máa dá ilé ayé tuntun.” Let us lift our heads high, lead with preparation and purpose. It is the youth with wisdom who will build a new world.
