Former Army Chief Calls for Youth Engagement in Peace Building, Governance

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt General Tukur Yusuf Brutai Rtd has called for active engagement of Nigerian youths in peace building and governance. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

The former Army Chief also advocated for the use of youths as agent of socioeconomic development of their immediate society.

Lt General Brutai made the call while delivering the 18th Distinguished Public Lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja, on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025.

Brutai in his Lecture titled Youth, Governance, And Countering Violent Extremism: Rethinking Nigeria’s Security Strategy, maintained that involvement of youths in fostering peace and stability of the nation’s democracy cannot be over emphasized with an appeal that they must strive to develop themselves in order to impact positively on their immediate society.

He also stressed the need for youths to embrace the spirit of loyalty and discipline as a way of contributing to the growth of their nation.

“For youths to add value to the Nigeria’s economy, they must embrace self-employment, active participation in agricultural and entertainment businesses

“Nigeria is at a critical juncture. its youth, which is highly energetic, creative, and comparatively heavy in the demography, could become Its biggest liability or its biggest strength.

“Violent extremism not ‘only flourishes in the absence of policing but also the absence of good governance, marginalization, and hopelessness.

“The articulation made in this lecture has ‘contended that It takes not guns and boots to counter such a threat but rather a change In paradigm in the way governance gets dona In the area of security.

“We cannot afford teeming youth engagement anymore, but we should commit to radical — structural transformation. The young people of Nigeria should not be viewed as having a passive role in policies but as decislon-makers.

“Every Institution will have to be redesigned with the next generation in mind.

“This is not the philosophy of idealism. It is the peasant pragmatism. Youth centred approaches have been proven both successful and imperative to building post-conflict stability and. resilience in such countries as Tunisia, Kenya, Colombia, and. Rwanda. Nigeria needs to learn, adjust and take the lead.

“If we do not reach out to our young people, we leave them to be recruited by criminal gangs or extremist organizations or foreign powers.

“But once we empower them , then they will not only be defenders of Nigeria and safeguards of her peace-they will be the ones to set its future”

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi in his welcome address, said that “This lecture series remains one of the most important intellectual traditions of our University. It provides a unique platform for thought provoking engagements on national and global issues, and today is no exception.

According to the VC “We are greatly privileged and honoured to have former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Brutai as the Guest Speaker in view of his distinguished military career and leadership at a time of national security challenges. Also his contributions to national development make him not only a national icon but also a voice of authority on today’s lecture topic.

“We are sincerely grateful to you, Sir, for finding time out of your very busy schedule to be with us and to share your thoughts on a matter of such profound national Importance.

The theme of your lecture: “Youth, Governance, and Countering Violent Extremism: Rethinking Nigeria’s Security Strategy” could not have come at a better time. The topic speaks directly to one of the greatest threats confronting Our nation today, the growing wave of violent extremism, particularly among our youth population. This menace continues to undermine our national unity, tear apart communities, and obstruct our developmental aspirations.