Excerpted story from Generation1.ca’s AfroRise2050 Fellowship’s inaugural publication Our Dreams for Africa, envisioning diverse pathways to a stronger Africa by 2050 and beyond. Be on the lookout for the entire anthology!
By Ikechukwu Michael Nduchebe
In today’s Nigeria and Africa, we are faced with urgent challenges that require concerted attention by all stakeholders. Notably, among them are good governance, job creation, quality education, absence of affordable and quality healthcare and infrastructural development. It is evident from multiple sources that Nigeria and Africa are blessed with natural and human resources and is bedeviled with weak institutions, ravaged with high rate of corruption and insecurity continues to stifle growth that is urgently needed by the populace.
To this end, millions of youthful populations are unemployed, while those employed are underemployed, thereby fueling frustration and instability among this vibrant and energetic population. This has resulted to the growing trend of migration to Europe through conventional and unconventional dangerous route of traveling through the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea in pursuit of better lives in Europe. It is important to empathize here the growing trend of migration, especially among young Nigerians driven by limited opportunities at home. This trend has resulted in brain drain which does not only rob Nigeria of its brightest talents but also deepens the cycles of dependency and underdevelopments.
Consequently, another pressing concern is the economic diversification. In the case of Nigeria, it places a lot of overreliances on oil and much of Africa is vulnerable to global price shocks. This is at the expense of investment in agriculture, renewable energy, technology, and the creative industries which would have been crucial for sustainable development. This is not peculiar to Nigeria alone as it is prevalent across other African countries that are yet to harness the natural resources deposited in their domain. In addition, it is expected that Africa must strengthen regional cooperation through platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which would unlock intra – Africa trade and industrialization.
Future Pathways
I envision, that by 2050, Nigeria and other African countries would be at a turning point. It is projected that the African population would exceed 1.5 billion, as Africa is expected to be the world’s youngest continent.
It is important to note that if the right leadership is in place in Africa; and the right investments are made in innovation, hospitals, renewable energy and the leadership prioritizes human capital development, Africa could become the hub for economic growth, creativity and influence on the global stage. Instructively, if the challenges bedeviling Africa continue, the continent would not only risk deeper poverty, but migration crises would persist. Therefore, the choices made now will determine the future reality.
In this drive for the total emancipation of Africa from the multiple challenges it faces, I see myself playing a pivotal role as a researcher, designer, and an advocate for inclusive development in the continent. I have a background in law, research analysis, and user-centered design, I would like to shape solutions that address gap in governance, promote digital inclusion, and create an enabling platform for young people to thrive at home rather than resort to seeking uncertain futures abroad. Many who embarked on this sojourn to Europe have different stories and several have also lost their lives in the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea.
To this end, my goal would be to contribute to initiatives that empower communities, strengthen institutions, and give youths a sense of belonging. It is a known fact that Nigeria and Africa in general are blessed with human and natural resources, of which our potential has not been fully harnessed. If this becomes properly harvested and realized, the youth would no longer be compelled to migrate for survival, but instead find success, hope and dignity in their homeland.
Excerpted story from Generation1.ca’s AfroRise2050 Fellowship’s inaugural publication Our Dreams for Africa, envisioning diverse pathways to a stronger Africa by 2050 and beyond. Check out the entire anthology here!
