Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has urged Nigerian students and youths to take charge of their future by holding political leaders accountable for worsening inequality, corruption, and governance failures.
Falana made the call on Thursday during the conferment of the honorary title of Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM) by law students of the University of Abuja. He expressed concern over what he described as the growing indifference of young Nigerians toward national issues, contrasting it with the activism that defined the student movements of his generation.
He lamented that corruption and mismanagement had destroyed opportunities that once existed for young people, recalling an era when jobs were readily available even before graduation.
Falana also criticised the muted reaction of youths to revelations by the National Assembly that over N210 trillion could not be accounted for in government records. He said such news should ordinarily provoke nationwide outrage.
Turning to national matters, the activist condemned both the obstruction of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, by a military officer and the minister’s use of abusive language, insisting that public officials must act with decorum while respecting citizens’ dignity.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Hon. Ibrahim Olarewaju, described Falana as one of the finest assets to Nigeria’s legal profession, recalling his mentorship, accessibility, and longstanding solidarity with students.
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, praised Falana as a “rallying point for justice” whose lifelong advocacy has restored hope to countless Nigerians, particularly students victimised by authorities.
President of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), University of Abuja chapter, Muhammed Akingbolu, said the SAM title was conferred in recognition of Falana’s decades of service to justice and public interest litigation.
The ceremony, held as part of the Faculty’s 2024/2025 Legal Year Opening, was attended by legal practitioners, academics, and students who gathered to celebrate Falana’s enduring impact on the legal profession and human rights advocacy.
