Former Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Chairman for Oyo State, Abiodun Ajibade, has urged Nigerian youths and entrepreneurs to leverage domestic economic opportunities, cautioning against the prevailing trend of seeking prospects abroad.
Speaking at a summit in Ibadan on Tuesday themed “Local production as a backbone for thriving economies: Get involved,” Ajibade argued that the nation possesses substantial potential for enterprise and job creation that remains underutilized. He positioned the event as a practical response to national challenges, emphasizing that while government initiatives are essential, they alone cannot solve unemployment, poverty, and insecurity.
“The government cannot provide all needed jobs and services,” Ajibade stated. “Our focus must shift to harnessing local capabilities. We must promote and produce goods within Nigeria. Passive expectation will not yield change.”
He directly addressed the widespread aspiration among young Nigerians to emigrate, a phenomenon locally termed “Japa Syndrome.” Ajibade noted that this mass youth emigration persists despite the country’s challenges, including high unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and economic inflation. He contrasted this with the daily influx of foreigners entering Nigeria for business and trade, suggesting these visitors recognize opportunities many locals overlook.
“Foreigners are trooping into Nigeria daily to tap into our market and resources,” he said. “We must redirect that same energy inward. There is hope and direction in building from here.”
The summit’s theme underscores a strategic pivot toward import substitution and local value-chain development—a policy direction increasingly championed to conserve foreign exchange, create jobs, and stimulate broad-based economic growth. Ajibade’s message aligns with broader national efforts to incentivize manufacturing and small-scale enterprise, particularly given Nigeria’s vast, youthful population and consumer market.
Analysts note that sustainable economic recovery hinges on shifting perceptions from dependency on foreign opportunities to active participation in the local economy. Ajibade’s appeal calls for a practical mindset change, urging budding entrepreneurs to identify gaps in production, services, and supply chains that can be filled domestically.
His remarks highlight a critical intersection: addressing youth disillusionment through concrete, home-grown economic engagement. By framing local production not just as patriotism but as viable commerce, he positions entrepreneurship as a cornerstone for mitigating the social pressures driven by joblessness and underdevelopment.
The call to action suggests that scalable solutions lie in mobilizing private-sector initiative, with the summit serving as a platform to connect ideas with practical steps. For Nigeria’s large demographic of young people, the message is clear: the pathway to prosperity, Ajibade argues, may be found not at border crossings, but within the country’s own markets and manufacturing potential.
