SAFEGUARDING THE VOICES OF NIGERIAN YOUTH: A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE END SARS PROTESTS

Abstract

This paper examines the Nigerian youth movement, with a focus on the End Special Anti-Robbery Squad (EndSARS) protests and the challenges facing Nigerian youths. Nigerian youths have contributed greatly to the country's development through various facets such as democracy, governance, politics, economy, security, and community development. However, failure to invest, promote, and protect youths may lead to radicalization, violent acts, and extremism. The EndSARS protests were not just about the brutality and disbandment of SARS but also about reforming the entire Nigerian Police Force and other lukewarm attitudes of the government towards Nigerian youths. The paper identifies short-sighted policymaking as a failure to properly integrate the needs of youths in political and economic structures, leading to agitations and violent acts of political thuggery, armed robbery, ethno-religious crises, and kidnapping. The paper recommends reforming the Nigerian Police Force as a means of regaining public confidence and promoting the interests of Nigerian youths as a vital component for a prosperous and secure Nigeria