Identity of Nigerian Youth: Leadership, Purpose and Responsibility
Conversation Paper Presented
by
Mr. Uduak O. Udom
On Rescue the Boys Mission Outreach, Karu, Abuja, FCT
24th June, 2026
“Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
– 1 Timothy 4: 12
1.0 INTRODUCTION
You are welcome to this outreach programme. The scope of which is the unspoken pressure and conflicting expectations about manliness, leadership and emotional expression towards helping the boys grow into men of integrity and strength. The focus of this initiative is to help young boys and teenagers recover their true identity and grow into godly, responsible and purpose driven men of character.
This conversation as the organisers calls it, is to focus on identity. I have been requested to speak on Leadership, Purpose and Responsibility. The topic is relevant for this time. The young people are facing a lot of pressure not only with their peers, but from external environment through social media. Our conversation will help you to withstand these pressures. It will also enable you understand your identity (who you are), leadership, purpose and responsibility.
2.0 THE CONCEPT OF IDENTITY
The theme of this presentation is identity. Briefly, let us look at the concept of identity.
You may ask what is your identity. If anyone may ask you: who are you? What will be your response? You may say that you are a student, a son, or a boy.
The word identity describes who we are in totality. It is the real truth about you. We as human beings have a specific God given identity whether we know it, want it or understand it. We are able to function the way we do because of our identity. Identity is crucial in the language we speak, and in relationship with others. In the scripture, anytime God created something, he named it; that is, he gave it identity.
We need to be clear what our identity is and what we want to be by establishing your authentic identity. Building your identity is about knowing what your calling is, learning to do well what you are doing and creating value in the world.
Our identity is shaped by many factors. The following are the factors that shaped our identity (Walsh, 2024):
- Family background.
- The work you are doing shape your identity.
- Identifying characteristics. Some of lives visible to others. This includes nationality, ethnicity, gender, disability etc.
- Life experiences.
- Values and beliefs. Your values and believes go a long way to shape our identity.
- Environment
Our identity shapes our purpose and our purpose shapes our plans, which in turn shapes our lives. There are four key elements as we undertake our identity journey.
- Believe in yourself. Believe in yourself to tap into your full potential.
- Know your competence. You need to know what you are competent to do and the areas you need to achieve competence.
- Continually challenge yourself. You need to challenge yourself continuously. Stretch and extend your boundaries.
- Be patient with yourself. You need to be patient with yourself as growth and competence takes time (Graham, 2019).
Every decision we make everyday of our lives including the most critical and the most superficial ones, are based on how connected we are to who we are and were we are going. Therefore, ‘when you have a true fundamental grasp of your own identity, you will face the world with more confidence and resilience’. Identity is not something static; it is fluid process to be nurtured, cultivated, and cherished (Nevzline, 2019).
As a Christian, your identity is in Christ. The bible tells us that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and also went to say that we are the children of God (Galatians 3:26). Christ in whom ‘we live, and move and have our being… For we are his offspring’ (Acts 17: 28) should shape our identity in all we do.
2.1 LEADERSHIP (Direction)
In the world, there is leadership crisis. There is shortage of good leaders either at homes, churches, nations, etc. It is important for you to take up leadership role at home, in the church, in the school or wherever you find yourself. By doing so, you are building leadership capacity that will help you in future.
A leader needs vision, courage, determination, humility, and empathy. Among these leadership skills, we will concentrate on the vision of the leader. This is vital because it is pivotal for the success of any organisation/institution or even as individual. The bible informs us that ‘where there is no vision, the people perish….’ (Proverbs 29:18). Vision is therefore crucial in all levels of leadership whether in the school, the church, a country, as well as in your individual lives. It has been stated that ‘the very essence of leadership is that you have to have a vision’ (Theodore Hesburge, on-line). As a youth there is need to develop vision for yourself and any leadership position you find yourself.
What is vision? Vision is a clear picture of what the leader envisioned. It is a picture of what the institution you are leading will be or do. As a leader, you must have a vision of where you are going and where you want to be. As a young adult, one thing is crucial where do want to be after school?
Your vision is the bridge between the present and the future. A clear vision increases your chances of having fulfilment in life. Without it, (a clear vision) we lack direction. Also, a clear vision gives passion to our pursuits and elicits emotion for what we are doing. It motivates us to do more, burn midnight oil to achieve our purpose. Additionally, it gives direction to our lives, serves as a road map, a compass and simplifies decision making. Vision can easily translate into purpose and serves as important link between current reality and the envisioned future. Whatever vision we have should glorify God because he owns us and bought us with a price (Stanley, 1999).
The Bible states that;
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
– Ephesians 2:10
2.2 PURPOSE (MASTERY)
Leadership is the discovery of a purpose and vision that drives the visionary beyond the boundary of personal preservation. Vision produces true leaders (Myles Munroe, 2008).
We may ask, what is purpose and purpose of life? or specifically what is my purpose?
Purpose according to Myles Munroe (1992, 2008) is:
- The original intent for the creation of a thing;
- The original reason for the existence of a thing;
- The cause for the creation of a thing; and,
- The destination that prompts the journey.
It can be said that purpose is the reason for what something exist, is done and is created.
Purpose is the original reason for creation of something. It is the reason why something exists. Purpose is what gives us meaning, fulfilment and special significance. Purpose is very crucial to what we do in life. We must know our purpose, that is the why of our existence. As teenagers, it is very crucial to know our purpose in life. You must find out what is my purpose in life, the earlier you do this, the better. Ask yourself:
- What is the purpose of my life?
- What am I living for?
We have to find our purpose in Christ by becoming his disciples. As our identity is in Christ, our purpose must be from him. This will determine your overall direction in life.
What are the benefits of purpose.
The major benefits of purpose include:
- It simplifies life. It enables one to know what to do and what you would not do. It also enables you to evaluate which activities to get involved in.
- It enables one to live a focused life. You become focused on your purpose and get the job done.
- It gives motivation and passion.
- It prepares you for eternity (Warren, 2002).
2.3 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE YOUTH (SERVICE)
As youth, your basic responsibilities are:
- Personal development and educational; it is important that you equip yourself with knowledge, practical skills, and ethical values.
- Read and study your bible. God told Joshua to study and meditate on his word for him to prosper and have good success (Joshua 1:8). Also Psalm 1:1-2 inform us to meditate and delight in God’s word in order for us to be like ‘a tree planted by the rivers of water…’
- Take time to study and spend less time on social media.
- Establish good identity (let people know who are).
- Earn trust from people.
- Participate in innovation especially in technology. Develop and be engaged in relevant technology.
- Community engagement and volunteering. Actively participate in local activities either in the church, community or school.
- Show respect to elders. Be a model to the younger ones in showing respect to others.
- Mentoring your juniors at home, school and church.
- Know yourself better- know your strength and weaknesses.
- Regular participation in household task of sweeping, washing, cooking, and helping mummy and daddy (Damon, 2008).
As you participate in all these, you are invariably developing your leadership skills and capacity.
3.0 CONCLUSION
We have considered the concept of identity, leadership, purpose and responsibility. All these are interlinked. You need to know who you are to be able to lead, find purpose and keyed into your responsibility.
References
Barna, George (2015) The Power of Vision: Discover and Apply God’s Plan for Your Life and Ministry, Benin City: Beulah-land Publications (Nigeria).
Damon, W (2008) The Path to Purpose: Helping our Children Find Their Calling in Life. New York, Free Press
Graham, Stedman (2019) Identity Leadership: To Lead Others you must First Lead Yourself; New York: Centre Street.
Graham, Stedman, Emery S, and Hall, Russ, (2012) Identity: Your Passport to Success.
Haggai, John E. (2009) The Influential Leader: 12 Steps Igniting Visionary Decision Making. Oregon, Harvest House Publishers.
Janson, Jan, (1999) Living a Purposeful Life: What Happens When You Yes to God, Colorado: Water Brook Press.
Kindrick S. and Kendrick Alex (2019) Defined: Who God Says You Are. Nashville: B&H Publishing.
Maxwell, John (1993) Developing the Leader Within You; Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Munroe, Myles (2008) In Charge: Finding Leader Within You. New York: Faith Words
Munroe, Myles (1992) The Pursuit of Purpose: Shippensburg; Destiny Image Publishers.
Nevzlin, Irina (2001) the Impact of Knowing Who you are (Online)
Nanus, Burt (1992) Visionary Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey -Inc.
Pringle, Phil (2003) You, the Leader, New Kensington: Whitaker House
Waren, Rick (2002), The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I Here For? grand
Rapids: Zondervan
Walsh, M (2024) Five Keys that Shape your Identity. https://www.lifecoahdirectory.org.uk (assessed 23/06/2026).
Stanley, Andy (1999) Visioneering, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers Inc.
Identity of Nigerian Youth: Leadership, Purpose and Responsibility by Mr. Uduak O. Udom is a Guest Post on PositiveNaija.
