By Emem Idio, Yenagoa 

A governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Domor Mienye, has called on Nigerian leaders at all levels to focus on building an economy and governance structure capable of creating opportunities that would make young people see a future within the country.

Mienye made the call against the backdrop of rising anti-immigration sentiments across parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and other regions of the world, noting that the changing global environment should serve as a serious wake-up call for Nigeria and African countries.

According to him, many countries are increasingly prioritising local economic protection, stricter immigration controls, and policies aimed at reducing dependence on foreign labour, making it imperative for Nigeria to urgently reposition its economy and governance systems.

He noted that for years, many young Nigerians have viewed migration as the only realistic pathway to economic stability and opportunity, largely due to weak institutions, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and limited industrial growth.

According to him, sustainable development in Nigeria would require deliberate investments in industries capable of generating large-scale employment opportunities and improving productivity.

He said: “The goal is not to stop people from travelling abroad. The goal is to build a country where staying and building at home is also a viable and respected option.

“We cannot continue to depend almost entirely on crude oil revenues while millions of young people struggle with unemployment and uncertainty. Nigeria must begin to build productive economies driven by manufacturing, agriculture, technology, tourism, and innovation.”

Speaking specifically on Bayelsa, Mienye said the state possesses enormous untapped potential in areas such as the blue economy, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and renewable energy, but noted that these opportunities would require structured leadership and long-term planning to unlock effectively.

“Bayelsa has the natural resources and strategic location to become economically competitive. But development requires more than resources; it requires leadership, systems, execution, and long-term thinking,” he added.

Mienye further urged Nigerians in the diaspora to remain actively connected to national development efforts, stressing that their experience, expertise, and global exposure could contribute significantly to institutional growth and economic transformation.

The APGA governorship aspirant maintained that Nigeria’s future would depend largely on the quality of leadership elected by the people, urging citizens to support leaders capable of building institutions, creating opportunities, and preparing the country for a rapidly changing global economy.

He added that younger generations must also begin to participate more actively in governance and public policy discussions, rather than remaining disconnected from political processes.

“There is a growing population of Nigerians abroad with deep expertise across finance, technology, engineering, healthcare, and policy. The country must create pathways that encourage investment, collaboration, and knowledge transfer.

“Our generation must move beyond complaining about the system and become part of building solutions. The future of Nigeria will be determined by the decisions we make today,” he stated.