Why Nigeria’s Youths Are More Creative Than Ever
| INTRODUCTION |
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When talking about Nigeria, the first things that often come to mind are the political aspects, the hardship, or the economy. Yes all this are true, but taking your mind of those aspects and paying attention to something else; THE YOUTHS", whether on the streets, on campus and even in our communities. There is something powerful to notice from them. The Nigerian youths are getting very creative like never before. The same tough system that should break us is actually making us think differently, create new things, and find ways to survive and even stand out.
Not saying this from reading, but even from experience. From my experience, and the fact that I am also a student, it shows to be relevant in the present day society, you creativity has to be on a high level. Every day, you see people who used to just focus on schoolwork back then, are now running small businesses, designing clothes, editing videos, creating music, or even running social media brands. And what’s even more interesting is that most of these youths are self-taught. Many of us are learning skills on YouTube, TikTok, and through trial and error, turning nothing into something.
Nigeria’s economy is not friendly. Prices of things are high, jobs are scarce, and every week comes with a new challenge. But it is this same difficulty that’s pushing youths to think outside the box. Instead of sitting and waiting for opportunities, we create them.
I know a friend who started mixing perfume oils in his hostel room because he couldn’t keep depending on his parents for pocket money. Today, he’s supplying to stores in the city. Another guy in my class repairs phones after lectures; he learnt the skill by watching videos on his small smartphone. There are still students on campus who sew clothes, bake cakes, and selling wigs just to do something and with the right mindset and consistency, will become successful in this present day society.
The funny thing is, these creative hustles are not just for money; they are also teaching us how to manage time, work hard, and think like entrepreneurs.
| Digital Spaces Changing the Game |
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In time past, to be creative had to do with doing something like painting or singing. But today, it could mean running a funny TikTok account, selling garri in a stylish package on Instagram, or designing mechanical tools with 3D software. Nigeria’s youths are making the internet their playground.
On Steemit alone, I have seen young people write stories, share farm projects, talk about village life, or even break down complex topics like biotechnology in a simple way. We are showing the world that creativity can come from anywhere.
The beauty of this digital shift is that even with low resources, youths are using what they have. Some create comedy skits with just a phone camera and a good idea. Some do spoken word poetry on WhatsApp status. Others are coding and even learning tech skills.
Nigerians are expressive in nature, we go by a slogan "NO GREE FOR ANYBODY (don't be oppressed by anyone), and culture plays a big role. From our music and fashion to language and food, there is always something to show off. Youths are now remixing cultural elements into something fresh. Ankara is not just for weddings anymore; people wear it as sneakers, caps, and even laptop bags. Our slang becomes global trends—think of how words like “sapa” and “japa” are now known worldwide.
When the drive to survive is combined with the culture and norms, then the result - UNSTOPPABLE CREATIVITY. The hunger to succeed makes us combine old and new, tradition and technology, and local and global.
| Why This Matters |
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The truth is, many of Nigeria’s youths are tired of waiting. And we know that the system has its problems, but instead of being silent and sitting back doing nothing, we’re building something out of it. This developed creativity is not all about money, it also has to do with identity, resilience, and relavance. It shows that despite the challenges encountered, there’s something in us that refuses to give up.
Whenever I scroll through social media or talk to friends, I see young Nigerians who might not have perfect resources but have great minds, and not afraid to do the unthinkable. They are writers, content creators, farmers, fashion designers, tech developers, and comedians making millions laugh.
This is why I say Nigerian youths are more creative than ever. Hardship sharpened our thinking, the internet gave us a stage, and our culture gave us colour.
| Final Note |
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If you are reading this and you’re Nigerian, you’re probably doing something creative too, whether it’s a side hustle, an idea, or just finding new ways to survive. That’s who we are.
Do you agree? What’s the most creative hustle or idea you’ve seen from a Nigerian youth lately?
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