Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm about the growing crisis among Africa’s youth. In response to recent protests in Kenya, Obasanjo highlighted the severe issues facing young people across the continent, including high unemployment, lack of empowerment, and pervasive poverty.

Obasanjo emphasized that when young people have nothing to lose and see their leaders living in extreme wealth, it creates a volatile situation. He stressed that the resources of each country should benefit all its citizens, not just a few.

He said,

‘’If you have nothing to gain and you are jobless, unempowered, in poverty and you see your leaders, some of them in obscene affluence, What do you do? You are a human being and the resources of your country are provided for that country by God for the benefit of all the citizens of that country”

‘’It’s the beginning and if no adequate attention is paid to the needs of the youths in Africa, the autumn will turn to winter and it will be very ugly for all of us”

Drawing a stark comparison to the Arab Spring, Obasanjo warned that if the needs of Africa’s youth are not urgently addressed, the situation could worsen significantly. He likened the potential consequences to an escalating season, where ignoring the issue could turn the current challenges into something much graver.