The Convener of the BAT Ideological Group, Comrade Bamidele Atoyebi, has called on Nigerian youths to move beyond criticizing government and take advantage of opportunities created by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to drive grassroots development and build sustainable wealth.

In a statement titled “Why Complaining When Tinubu has Created Wealth For You,” Atoyebi said Nigerians must migrate from culture of serial complaints and become active contributors to national development.

Drawing from a biblical analogy, he wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child. But as an adult, it is time to put away childish things,” arguing that citizens should move from merely identifying problems to helping solve them.

Atoyebi said many of the country’s current economic and governance challenges are not new, noting that similar concerns existed decades ago.

He recalled that public figures such as the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi had lamented inflation, rising food prices and fuel scarcity in the 1980s and 1990s.

“If you watch video clips from 1985, 1989, 1990, or 1994, you will hear the exact same laments. You will see figures like Gani Fawehinmi pointing out that the average citizen can no longer afford standard commodities like banana, that inflation is skyrocketing, and that fuel scarcity is breaking the masses. Despite government subsidies, the cry of unaffordability is yet to abet,” he said.

He submitted that the only significant difference today is the influence of social media, where citizens can quickly amplify grievances online without necessarily contributing to practical solutions.

“Today, someone can sit in a remote village, fire off a tweet, and amplify a grievance globally. But venting on X or Instagram does not change the reality on the ground. We cannot keep doing the same things our predecessors did for decades and expect a different result,” he stated.

Atoyebi said the BAT Ideological Group was established to encourage citizens, particularly young people, to participate directly in development initiatives rather than remain critics of government.

He pointed to what he described as the Ward Priority Project framework, which he explained enables youth groups to identify pressing developmental needs within their communities, prepare project proposals and submit them directly for consideration without relying on governors, local government chairmen or ward councillors.

“The logic behind this approach is simple, because many state governors and local government administrators have historically struggled to implement genuinely people-oriented grassroots projects. Recognizing this gap, a framework was established to completely bypass traditional bottlenecks. It bypasses the governor, bypasses the local government chairman, and side-steps the ward counselors to place development directly into the hands of the organized youth,” he said.

He explained that interested youths should first organize themselves into structured associations, identify community development gaps, prepare practical proposals and recommend competent execution partners.

“Because you identify the gap and bring the solution, the framework ensures you have a direct stake in it. You are empowered to monitor the project from inception to completion. Even if that project yields a modest 20 million Naira profit, that is tangible, legitimate wealth being channeled directly to young stakeholders who previously couldn’t boast of a hundred thousand Naira,” he added.

Using a Yoruba proverb to reinforce his argument, Atoyebi said, “Ọmọ tó bá sípá, ní ìyá ẹ máa gbé,” explaining that it means anyone seeking help must first demonstrate a willingness to make use of available opportunities.

He maintained that Tinubu’s administration wants citizens to become partners in national development rather than remain critics.

“Tinubu wants you to be a contributor not a disruptor, he is literally extending his hands of leadership and cooperation encouraging Nigerians to build Nigeria with him to achieve the Nigeria of our dream; therefore, do not slap the hands that brought the best of intentions,” he said.

Atoyebi also argued that despite the country’s economic challenges, Nigerians continue to benefit from public investments in education, healthcare and subsidised infrastructure.

“For those of us who attended public primary schools, secondary schools and universities, or who have utilized public healthcare, the system has contributed to our journey. Compared to the crushing tax systems and living costs abroad, Nigeria remains one of the most affordable places to live and study. Even amid reforms, critical infrastructure like our electricity grid still enjoys forms of subsidization,” he stated.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, he referenced the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, saying many of the statesman’s ideas were dismissed during his lifetime but later proved relevant.

“In his time, he suggested brilliant, structured solutions to Nigeria flaws. Yet, in those days, he was often mocked and labeled as prophet of doom. Decades later, the very issues he highlighted have become glaring realities. While he provided the blueprints, the missing link has always been a lack of collective follow-through. We cannot afford to make that mistake again,” he said.

Atoyebi disclosed that the BAT Ideological Group has shifted its focus from advocacy to implementation, claiming that the organisation has identified and facilitated more than 50 developmental projects across communities nationwide.

“The BAT Ideological Group has moved past the era of mere analysis. We are actively identifying developmental gaps, linking communities to vital resources, and facilitating projects that matter. To date, we have identified and pushed forward over 50 distinct developmental projects across various communities,” he said.

He also called on President Tinubu to adopt a communication model similar to that of former United States President Barack Obama by creating a direct channel through which ordinary Nigerians can communicate with the President without intermediaries.

“We also urge the president to emulate Barack Obama; when Barack was President, he made a massive point of keeping a direct line open to the public. Tinubu should do something similar so the ordinary citizen can reach their elected president without any middleman filtering the intended message,” he said.

He concluded by urging young Nigerians to organise themselves at the grassroots, participate in community development and stop relying solely on online criticism.

“We do not want you to sit on the sidelines anymore. We want the youth to rise and join and form a critical mass for this movement at their respective local levels. Let’s stop degrading our country online and stop waiting for the economy to magically fix itself without our participation,” Atoyebi said.