Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation celebrated its 60th independence anniversary yesterday and ironically, its average population age is 18.2 thus boasting of a youthful population that promises huge dividends. Nigeria is 60, average age is 18 – A substantial number of African countries today are only between 43 to 60 years old post-independence, but the average age of leaders is 80 while the average population age is 19.
Are the youth really the leaders of tomorrow, because so far, they haven’t, and if they have, they are very few and far between.
To share his perspectives on the topic is none other than Akintunde Oyebode - an economist and finance professional, with over two decades of experience working in various industries within the private sector. His foray into public service formally started in 2015 when he joined the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) as its pioneer Executive Secretary/CEO during which he achieved great feats in driving the development of MSMEs as a catalyst to tackle Youth Unemployment. In 2019, he voluntarily left this role and joined the Ekiti State Government as Special Adviser and Director General of the Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency. Until recently, he led the state’s drive to attract domestic and international investment. In August 2020, Akintunde was appointed Commissioner of Finance & Economic Development for Ekiti State government.