Millions of young Nigerians scroll endlessly through TikTok, Instagram, and X, captivated by influencers like GheGhe, Peller, and others who thrive on controversy, comedy, and short-lived fame. Meanwhile, in countries like India, China, and the United States, teenagers as young as 15 are already building startups, writing software, designing AI systems, and launching innovations that the world will depend on in the next decade.

This contrast is alarming: while the world’s youths are building the future, many Nigerian youths are dancing into irrelevance.

The Ghe Ghe Phenomenon and Misplaced Priorities

GheGhe’s rise to fame, fueled by bold but shallow advice and viral skits, mirrors a larger problem in Nigeria: the obsession with entertainment over enlightenment. His comments about marriage, mocked even by fellow entertainers like Portable, reveal how quickly sensational content dominates youth attention.

But here’s the hard truth: no matter how many millions of views GheGhe garners, none of his trending videos will prepare a young Nigerian to pass PTE, IELTS, or to compete with peers in Silicon Valley, Bangalore, or Beijing.

The tragedy is that millions of Nigerian youths watch, laugh, and repeat, but few pause to ask: “What am I learning from this?”

A Global Comparison: What Others Are Doing

Let’s step outside Nigeria for a moment:

• In India, youths like Ritesh Agarwal founded OYO Rooms at 19, now a billion-dollar hotel chain.

• In China, 16-year-olds compete in robotics competitions that attract global investors.

• In the US, teens are creating AI startups, climate-change solutions, and digital apps that scale globally before they even finish high school.

• In Kenya, young innovators are pioneering mobile money (like M-Pesa) that transformed Africa’s financial system.

Meanwhile in Nigeria, trending conversations among many youths are still dominated by “who cheated who,” dance challenges, and relationship drama. This misplaced priority is not just embarrassing—it’s dangerous for the future of Africa’s largest youth population.

Why It Matters

If Nigerian youths continue on this path, in ten years the country risks raising a generation more fluent in TikTok trends than in science, technology, or business. Politicians already thrive on a distracted, unserious youth population. Without a radical shift, Nigeria could face a future where its most powerful resource—its young people—is wasted on frivolity.

The Way Forward: A Call to Nigerian Youths

It’s time to change the script. Social media doesn’t have to be an escape into irrelevance; it can be a tool for learning, building, and earning globally. Instead of copying the next GheGhe, Nigerian youths should be coding the next Flutterwave, designing the next Paystack, or innovating Africa’s future technology.

At African Witch Tech, we believe the Nigerian youth is not doomed—just distracted. With the right guidance, training, and opportunities, the same creativity wasted on gossip can be channeled into global innovation.

Conclusion

The world is moving fast. While GheGhe and others may trend today, they will fade tomorrow. What will remain is the gap between nations that built the future and those that entertained themselves into poverty.

At African Witch Tech, we are committed to helping Nigerian youths move from trending to transforming. If you’re ready to be part of the future of technology, contact us at admin@africanwitchtech.com. Together, we can make sure Nigeria is not left behind.