A veteran journalist and elder statesman, Tola Adeniyi, has delivered a stirring and cautionary address on Nigeria’s future, warning that the country’s survival depends on how well it nurtures its younger generation.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the 60th anniversary celebration of the 1966 – 70/72 set of Ijebu Muslim College Old Students Association (IMCOSA) in Ijebu Ode, Adeniyi framed his remarks around the theme, “The Young Shall Grow,” describing it as both a promise and a warning for the nation.
Addressing alumni and dignitaries at the college grounds, Adeniyi reflected on Nigeria’s turbulent journey since independence, noting that the country has oscillated between “moments of extraordinary promise and seasons of profound despair.”
He said while Nigeria was richly endowed with natural and human resources, the country had failed to translate these advantages into shared prosperity, blaming corruption, weak leadership and poor governance for the disconnect.
According to him, growth – whether in individuals or nations – is inevitable, but its outcome depends on preparation, discipline and vision.
“The young shall grow,” he said, “but they will grow whether we are ready or not – whether we have prepared the soil or left the field to weeds.”
Adeniyi stressed that the phrase should not be seen as a mere biological certainty but as a call to moral, intellectual and civic development. He warned that without deliberate effort, growth could produce a generation ill-equipped to lead or sustain progress.
Drawing parallels between human development and nation-building, he argued that Nigeria risks becoming a country that expands economically while declining in human dignity if it fails to prioritise ethical leadership and inclusive development.
He criticised successive administrations for what he described as unfulfilled promises and worsening economic hardship, pointing to inflation, currency devaluation and rising inequality as evidence of systemic failure.
Despite these challenges, Adeniyi maintained that the responsibility for change lies not only with leaders but also with citizens – particularly those who have benefitted from education and privilege.
He charged the alumni to see themselves as custodians of national values and agents of unity, recalling their shared experiences across ethnic and regional divides during their formative years.
“You learned in these halls that Nigerians of different backgrounds could work together as citizens of ideas,” he said, urging them to apply those lessons in addressing the country’s current divisions.
The veteran journalist also highlighted the importance of mentorship and guidance, noting that while the youth will inevitably take over leadership, the older generation has a duty to create enabling conditions for their success.
He likened this responsibility to that of a farmer preparing the soil for seeds to grow, warning that failure to act promptly could have irreversible consequences.
“The farmer who delays planting loses his harvest; the elder who delays guidance loses the youth to costly trial and error,” he said.
Adeniyi described Nigeria as being in a period of “recalibration,” where political tensions, social fragmentation and economic strain are testing the nation’s resilience.
He emphasised that growth is often disruptive, noting that younger generations will challenge existing structures and demand reforms. Rather than resist this change, he urged leaders to embrace it as a necessary part of national evolution.
“The young shall grow, and in growing, they will outgrow the systems that once defined them,” he said.
In a sobering conclusion, Adeniyi warned that Nigeria’s future would ultimately reflect the values it promotes today. He argued that if corruption and mediocrity continue to be rewarded, they will be replicated by future leaders.
Conversely, he said, a commitment to integrity, justice and excellence would produce a generation capable of transforming the country.
He cautioned that time is not on the nation’s side, stressing that the opportunity to shape the next generation is limited and must be seized urgently.
“The young shall grow. This is not a wish-it is the law of life,” he declared. “Our task is to deserve the future they will create.”
The anniversary event brought together alumni, educators and community leaders to celebrate six decades since the cohort left the institution, while also reflecting on their role in shaping Nigeria’s past and future.