DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES AMONG YOUTH IN NIGERIA

The young population in Nigeria is a huge demographic dividend which can be used to spur national growth and change. Nevertheless, this potential is yet to be harnessed well because of a leadership gap that is widespread in the form of systemic issues, such as corruption, ethno-religious strife, and lack of non-discriminatory opportunities. This paper discusses why it is very crucial to have, and develop effective leadership strategies amongst the youth in Nigeria. It claims that conventional, top-down leadership theories cannot be used to deal with 21st century challenges. Rather, it promotes a paradigm shift to ethical, inclusive and technologically savvy transformative, servant and adaptive leadership strategies. The paper shows critical pillars of formulating these strategies. mentorship and role modelling, formal leadership education and capacity building, civic engagement and political participation and the harnessing of digital tools to social impact. It concludes that there is a need to have a multi-stakeholder solution that would involve the educational institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector to impart in a systematic manner a new generation of leaders who have acquired the skills, values and vision to drive sustainable development, social cohesion and good governance in Nigeria.