Youth confab: There’s a need for government to regain Nigerians’ trust, says Pat Utomi

• Utomi said those in leadership positions must first sincerely admit that they have “brutalised” young people over the years, apologise to them and give them a commitment to building trust.

Pat Utomi, a renowned professor of political economy, emphasised that government must acknowledge its trust deficit among Nigerians and initiate a rebuilding process based on sincere dedication.

Utomi shared his insights on Thursday’s episode of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, following the national youth conference organized by the federal government.

In his New Year’s address on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu announced that the conference will commence in the first quarter of 2025.

Tinubu viewed the conference as a demonstration of his administration’s dedication to empowering young people as nation-builders.

Utomi, who served as a presidential aide at 27, noted that Nigeria’s early governments were led by young individuals, yet successive administrations have consistently disregarded young people’s capabilities, treating them like “idiots.”

As the founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), Utomi stressed that leaders must acknowledge their past mistakes, apologize, and commit to rebuilding trust with young people, who have been “brutalised” over the years.

“There are models for building trust, but it begins with doing the right thing and establishing an emotional bank account,” Utomi said.

“Each time you fulfill your promises, you make a deposit in the emotional bank account. Conversely, unfulfilled promises result in withdrawals.

“Ultimately, your credibility depends on the balance in that emotional bank account. Frankly, governments in Nigeria have not been trustworthy.

“They have repeatedly treated young people like idiots, which is disheartening, considering Nigeria’s early governments were led by young individuals.

“During military rule, leaders in their 20s and 30s were in charge, but the military’s command hierarchy and the influx of oil revenue contributed to the emergence of a new class system in Nigeria.

“Any government that fails to acknowledge its trust deficit is wasting time. The first step towards rebuilding trust is honest commitment.”