I sometimes Feel like Crying when I Measure our Development as a Nation and our Capabilities

 Nigerian Youth: Giants Striding Across the Globe, Waiting Only for Leadership and Unity

By Itoro Sunday Uwah

When Burna Boy performed during the UEFA Women's EUROs, where the English Lionesses emerged victorious, it wasn't just music—it was a moment of global Nigerian pride. Sarina Wiegman, the celebrated England coach, later revealed in an interview that Burna Boy is her favourite artist and that his music gives her joy and motivation.

But deeper than the lights and applause was something more profound: a reflection of what Nigeria truly is capable of, through the brilliance of its youth.

Watching that moment—and many like it—I sometimes feel like crying. When I measure the raw talent, creativity, strength, and potential of our people against our nation's development, the gap is heartbreaking.

It's not that we don't have what it takes. We have everything—except the exemplary leadership and the unity of purpose that could lift this nation into its rightful place among the greats.

Nigerian Youth: Champions Without Borders

In every corner of the world, Nigerians are winning:

Burna Boy, our Afro-fusion superstar, is not just performing—he's defining the global sound of Africa.

Tobi Amusan, world champion and record holder, has made Nigeria proud on the track.

Tems, with her soulful voice, has taken the Grammy stage and Hollywood soundtracks.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ijeoma Umebinyuo, and many others have changed the narrative of Africa through powerful storytelling.

Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye made headlines by performing fetal surgery and returning the baby safely into the womb—a feat few in the world have achieved.

Silas Adekunle, robotics engineer, invented the first intelligent gaming robot and rose to fame in the UK.

Philip Emeagwali, often called one of the pioneers of modern internet development, continues to inspire generations.

And at home? In tech hubs, classrooms, studios, farms, markets, and grassroots movements—Nigerian youth are building, dreaming, and refusing to give up.

 A Giant Strangled by Its Own

Yet despite this brilliance, Nigeria as a nation crawls.

Why?

Because for decades, we've been cursed by selfish, short-sighted leadership. Leadership that sees power as personal gain, not public service. A system that frustrates creativity and buries innovation under bureaucracy and greed.

Sometimes, I ask myself:

What if Nigeria had leaders with the courage to dream like its youth?

What if we had systems that worked as hard as our people do?

Unity: The Bridge Between Potential and Reality

Our strength should be in our diversity, but sadly, it has become our weakness.

We are divided—by tribe, by religion, by region, by petty politics.

But greatness requires unity. No divided house ever stood tall.

When we cheer Burna Boy together…

When we watch the Super Falcons defy the odds…

When we celebrate Nobel laureates and innovators abroad…

We taste the power of what Nigeria could become if we stood together and demanded better.

The World Is Already Watching—We Must Catch Up

The world is not ignoring Nigeria. It sees our youth. It admires them. It celebrates them.

But Nigeria itself remains stuck in the mud—because our leaders refuse to match the pace of our people.

The question is, can Nigeria be great?

The question is, when will we stop holding ourselves back?

 Final Words

From Burna's voice on a European stage to Wiegman's admiration, from the dusty tracks where Amusan began, to the tech hubs where the next Google may be born—Nigerian youth are already giants.

I see their stride. I feel their power. I share their pain.

And yes, sometimes I feel like crying, not out of despair, but from the ache of knowing that we are more than this—and it is only good leadership and unity that stand between our current struggle and our destined glory.

Let the world take note:

Nigeria is rising—and its youth are leading the charge. The only question is, will Nigeria rise with them?

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