By Christian ABURIME
At the 13th Convocation of Veritas University in Abuja recently, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, offered a persuasive perspective on the unique generational challenges faced by today’s graduates. Recognising that state governors are often the target of public jest, Governor Soludo wondered what meaningful advice he, as a governor from a different era, could provide to the graduating class.
In a way, the renowned professor of Economics described his own generation, the 1960s and 1970s, as a “limited edition” group, caught between caring for both parents and children. Humorously, he mused on the idea of reversing roles, asking if the graduates might take the lead in the dialogue while he listened.
Reflecting on his own graduation 40 years past, Governor Soludo drew striking parallels between then and now. Graduating in 1984, he recalled the sense of hope and despair felt as he and his peers faced severe economic challenges, including rationed essential commodities, a lack of steady electricity, and limited telecommunications.
The Structural Adjustment Program (SAP), ASUU strikes, and rising poverty and unemployment defined the era, with many fearing that the nation was on the brink of collapse. “Which Way Nigeria?”, Sonny Okosun’s song encapsulating the nation’s struggles became the soundtrack of their uncertainty.
Fast-forward to today, Governor Soludo noted, and the class of 2024 faces similarly daunting circumstances. He cited Nigeria’s decision to end longstanding subsidies on fuel, electricity, and foreign exchange, a move that has temporarily brought immediate inflationary shocks and economic strain. Worsening the picture are widespread floods that displaced millions and rampant criminality, creating a “new economy” of banditry and kidnappings. With a public sector driven more by transactional motives than transformation, Governor Soludo described an environment where virtues seem undervalued.
In sum, Governor Soludo’s message was very obvious: today’s graduates face an increasingly complex and challenging world. While technology and globalisation offer unprecedented opportunities, Nigeria’s social, political, and economic landscape demands resilience, integrity, and a commitment to positive change. In calling the graduates to rise above these challenges, Governor Soludo invited the new generation to lead with purpose, pursuing both personal success and the improvement of Nigeria.
