YOUTHS SHORTCUT SYNDROME AND MATERIALISM: IMPLICATIONS AND OPTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Sustainable economic development as kinetic development phenomenon involves enormous commitment of all available resources, hence the implacable investment of efforts and strategies by all nations to attain it. Success in economic development requires the uncompromised viability of everyone, particularly the youths. For Nigerian youths, demonstrating adequate motive and determination towards this all-important value to national economic development has been undermined by some  issues that include rising shortcut syndrome and inordinate materialism. This paper explores the critical relevance and implications of youths optimum capacity to propel Nigeria's economic growth; with attention to how the attitude of seeking for illegal shortcuts to solutions and goals coupled with plethoric chase of material things impact on their optimal participation and contributions to national economic development process in an era of tough internal and global challenges. Moreover, the paper proffers options for youths transformation, and concludes that only when youths abstain from  immoderate behaviour and pursuits through positive attitudinal changes, organizational and governmental reforms, can youths life and sustainable economic development be on the path toward significant success in Nigeria.