African Youths Are Africa’s Greatest Asset, Not Burden, Says Attah

Former Acting Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Defence, Dr. Sunday Attah, has called for a shift in the way African youths are perceived, declaring that they should no longer be seen as problems to be managed but as promises to be fulfilled.

Attah made the remark in Abuja during the inauguration of the African Youth Peace Corps (AYPC), a continental initiative aimed at raising a new generation of peace ambassadors and youth leaders across Africa.

Addressing stakeholders at the event, Attah said the continent’s future rests largely on its youthful population, stressing that young people remain Africa’s greatest asset and a critical force for peace, development and prosperity.

He noted that while Africa continues to grapple with poverty, unemployment, insecurity, violent extremism, drug abuse, cybercrime, climate change and social exclusion, its youthful demographic presents a unique opportunity to transform the continent if properly harnessed.

According to him, young Africans are not liabilities but valuable assets capable of driving positive change.

“Africa’s greatest resource is not oil, gold, gas or diamonds. Africa’s greatest resource resides within its young people — their minds, creativity, resilience and dreams,” Attah said.

The former defence ministry official argued that youths should not be regarded as mere observers of events but as active participants in shaping Africa’s future, describing them as builders of history with immense potential to influence the continent’s development trajectory.

He further emphasized that peace remains the foundation upon which sustainable development can be built, noting that peace extends beyond the absence of conflict to include justice, inclusion, dignity, opportunity and hope.

Attah challenged young Africans to become ambassadors of peace, defenders of human dignity and agents of reconciliation capable of fostering unity and social cohesion across borders.

The event also witnessed the formal launch of the African Youth Peace Corps, which organisers described as a continental movement committed to promoting peacebuilding, leadership development and sustainable transformation among young Africans.

In his keynote address, Convener and Continental Coordinator-General of AYPC, Amb. Dr. Abdulwaheed Odewale, unveiled the organisation’s vision and strategic programmes designed to strengthen peacebuilding efforts across Africa.

He disclosed that the initiative would promote School Peace Clubs, Community Peace Initiatives, Youth Leadership Academies, Digital Literacy Programmes, Environmental Sustainability Campaigns, Interfaith Dialogue Platforms and Volunteer Service Schemes.

Odewale said the programmes were designed to equip young people with leadership skills, civic values and knowledge needed to tackle emerging challenges while promoting responsible citizenship and social harmony.

“Sustainable peace can only be achieved through dialogue, justice, inclusion, respect for diversity and equal opportunities for all,” he said.

The AYPC coordinator noted that the organisation intends to work with governments, traditional institutions, faith-based groups, educational institutions, civil society organisations and development partners to deepen peacebuilding efforts and support sustainable development.

He urged young Africans to reject terrorism, violent extremism, criminality, cybercrime, hate speech, ethnic and religious intolerance, drug abuse and other threats to peace and human dignity.

Instead, he encouraged them to embrace integrity, innovation, entrepreneurship, patriotism, environmental responsibility and peaceful coexistence as tools for nation-building and continental progress.

Odewale expressed confidence that Africa’s future would ultimately be determined by the willingness of its people, particularly the youth, to create solutions, build bridges and promote unity across the continent.

Speaking in a goodwill message, Member of the Governing Council of AYPC and Founder of the IFP World Family Initiative, Amb. Queen Hadassah Ibinyingi Allaputa, underscored the importance of inner peace in building peaceful societies.

“A peaceful heart produces peaceful communities, and a generation that is at peace with itself can become a powerful force for transformation across the continent,” she said.

She described young people as architects of Africa’s peace and development, urging them to cultivate self-awareness, resilience, hope and positive values.

Allaputa also highlighted the importance of unity, saying Africa’s diversity should serve as a source of strength rather than division.

She called on young Africans to choose collaboration over conflict and become ambassadors of peace in their respective communities.

The launch, which coincided with the International Day of the African Child, attracted participants from government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners, youth groups and members of the diplomatic community.

Other speakers at the event included Dr. Khadija Abdullahi Iya, Founder of Women Community in Africa; Dr. Maimuna Sheila Salim, Summit Chairperson of Women Community in Africa; Dr. Gbenga Oni, AYPC Continental Director of Training and Membership; and Dr. Ahmed Abdul Yusuf, National Secretary of the Congress for Sustainable Development of Nigeria.

Organisers said the African Youth Peace Corps would serve as a platform for nurturing a generation of peace ambassadors committed to building a peaceful, prosperous and united Africa.