From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, has described Nigerian youths as the country’s greatest asset, rather than mineral resources, infrastructure and money.
Barrister Faleye made this submission in his speech as a guest speaker at the Student Mentorship Summit, 2006 organized by the National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) in Abuja recently.
According to him,”In Nigeria, our greatest asset is neither oil, nor infrastructure, nor even capital, it is our people. More specifically, it is our youth – energetic, innovative, and full
of potential.”
He added that to nurture that asset, the youth need guidance and support to achieve that potential.
According to him, “potential alone is not enough; we need to guide, support,
and protect it.”
“This event is part of our shared journey to shape Nigeria’s future where our young people are not just equipped with skills, but also
empowered to lead across sectors, drive innovation, and create sustainable
progress,” he stressed.
The NSITF boss, who was represented at the occasion by his Technical Assistant, Dr Dayo Alao, argued that empowering youth with the right tools, skills, and vision has become non-negotiable for national progress, adding that young people must be empowered to lead across all sectors.
He went on to suggest a to-do list, saying “We need to change the orientation of our youth, we need to shift from a mindset of entitlement to one of responsibility, from dependency to self-reliance, from consumption to production.
“We need to inspire them to be job creators, not just job seekers, and encourage them to be innovators solving real-world problems, not just chasing certificates. We need to empower them to be leaders, driving change in their communities, not just waiting for opportunities to come to them.”
Striking a nexus between social protection and the youth and national development he said, “As the Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, I’m proud of the role we continue to play – not just as a provider of social security, but as a strategic enabler of workforce resilience and national development.
“We’re talking about creating a safety net that’s not just reactive, but proactive supporting entrepreneurs, protecting workers, and
promoting a culture of safety and productivity.
“Investing in youth
development is inseparable from investing in social protection. A protected
workforce is a productive workforce, and that’s what drives national
prosperity.”
“This is where the idea of sky bound leadership becomes not just relevant, but essential. It challenges us to rise above limitations, to think beyond silos, beyond sectors, and beyond the present. It calls for a generation of leaders who see connections where others see divisions, anticipate the future rather than react to it, and build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable systems. We must raise a generation of systems thinkers. Young leaders who
understand how decisions in one sector affect outcomes in another,” he submitted.
“Social security is not merely a safety net; it is a foundation for national development. Our mandate at the NSITF goes beyond compensation. It extends to ensuring workplace safety, promoting decent work standards, and protecting the dignity and productivity of the Nigerian worker,” Faleye added, as he reiterated the Fund’s commitment to expanding coverage of it’s social protection and ensuring safe workplace.
He made a case for making social
security a powerful driver of youth empowerment and national development, and the anchor of stability as he urged a proactive multi-sector approach to youth development and mentorship.
“The future we desire for Nigeria will not happen by chance. It must be designed, built, and sustained.,” he concluded.
Earlier in his welcome address, the National Publicity Secretary of NANS, and convener of the event, Comrade Samson Ajasa, had said the vision of the Students Mentorship Summit was framed in the need to bridge the gap between Nigerian youths and opportunities that abound locally and internationally.
Providing more insight on the background of the Summit, Ajasa revealed that the success of the maiden edition held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye last October led to the follow-up edition.
According to him, the Students Mentorship Summit 2026, themed “Skybound Leadership: A Multi-Sector
Approach to Youth Development in Tech, Aviation, Oil & Gas, Security, and Anti-Drug/
Cybercrime Advocacy,” represents a bold step forward.
“The theme itself speaks to ambition skybound. It reminds us that the aspirations of Nigerian youths must not be limited by circumstances but propelled by knowledge, mentorship, and innovation,” he summed.
The Nigerian student union body presented the Managing Director of NSITF, Barrister Faleye, with the Social Protection Champion Award in recognition of his outstanding performance as the Fund’s helmsman.
The event, held at the Merit House, Maitama had in attendance heads of MDAs, captains of industry, leaders of thought among other stakeholders.