FadekemiAjakaiye
The convener of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), Bamidele Atoyebi, has urged the nation’s youths to transform their passions into meaningful careers by actively contributing to society instead of remaining critics of government and national challenges.
In an intervention titled, “Turn your passion into your job,” the commentator argued that many young Nigerians possess the talent, ambition and dedication required to succeed but often fail to channel those qualities into productive ventures.
Saying unemployment extends beyond absence of jobs to include individuals who are dissatisfied with their current economic conditions despite being employed, he also maintained that lasting career satisfaction can only be achieved when people work in fields of interest they are genuinely passionate about.
Atoyebi observed that many Nigerian youths remain trapped in jobs they have little interest in, adopting the mindset of simply “surviving” instead of pursuing careers that gives them purpose, fulfillment, long-term impact and satisfaction.
He urged young people passionate about governance and public service to channel that interest into practical engagement by joining civil society organisations, volunteering with political parties or participating in initiatives that promote accountability and policy reforms.
Such involvement, he said, enables individuals to contribute meaningfully to the structural changes they desire while gradually building careers rooted in service rather than the pursuit of quick wealth.
To illustrate his position, Atoyebi recounted the story of a basketball enthusiast who, despite being unable to pursue a professional playing career because of age, volunteered with the coaching staff of Nigeria’s national basketball team. His dedication eventually coincided with the team’s emergence as African champions, after which members of the delegation received national recognition and various rewards.
The volunteer, he noted, was honoured with a house in Abuja, a new vehicle, the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honour and permanent employment, demonstrating how commitment to service can produce life-changing opportunities.
Atoyebi also cited founder of Living Faith Church Bishop David Oyedepo as an example of passion evolving into purpose. He explained that the cleric devoted himself to advancing the growth of Christianity without initially aspiring to become a pastor. During a mission to a village without a church, Oyedepo remained there for 72 days until a church was established and residents embraced Christianity.
The experience, Atoyebi noted, reflected the passion that later developed into a global ministry with more than 22,000 church branches across 146 countries.
He further referenced another episode in which Oyedepo enthusiastically promoted the books of Christian author Kenneth E. Hagin. Atoyebi said the commitment eventually inspired Oyedepo’s emergence as one of the world’s most prolific Christian authors, with thousands of publications distributed internationally.
Specifically, drawing another example from public service, he noted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu left a successful accounting career at Mobil to pursue politics despite warnings that the decision would amount to career suicide.
He explained that Tinubu’s motivation was driven by desire to deploy his professional expertise toward addressing inequality, improving governance and contributing to the nation’s democratic development instead of remaining a passive observer.
He stated that the same passion later manifested through Tinubu’s pro-democracy activities, support for democratic struggles following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, and his long-standing efforts to assist Nigerians through employment opportunities, financial support, educational assistance and conflict resolution.
Atoyebi added that the President continues to pursue reforms aimed at strengthening local government autonomy, advancing state policing discussions and implementing policies that expand electricity generation and distribution.
He also reflected on his own journey into advocacy, explaining that his commitment to public accountability began during his secondary school years when he led fellow students in protesting their expulsion over unpaid school fees after government salary delays left many civil servant parents unable to meet financial obligations.
He said the protest resulted in the students being readmitted while teachers responsible for sending them away were sanctioned.
He recounted another experience after secondary school while managing his uncle’s business, where he frequently confronted police officers over the alleged extortion of commercial motorcycle operators.
Atoyebi said he often intervened to secure the release of detained riders, sometimes using his personal resources to obtain their freedom, actions that created friction with some officers.
In addition, the BAT-IG convener recalled an incident in 2019 in which he challenged a plain-clothed operative pursuing a tricycle rider at night. The confrontation escalated into an altercation that ended at a police station, where he said officers recognised him from previous interventions involving detained citizens and accused him of interfering with their activities.
He maintained that his actions were motivated solely by a commitment to protecting ordinary Nigerians from unlawful extortion.
He added that his advocacy efforts later extended to securing the release of numerous detainees from Zone 2 Police Command in Obalende, Alagbon Police Station in Ikoyi and Ikoyi Custodial Centre in 2023.
Atoyebi said those experiences eventually inspired the establishment of initiatives including the Accountability and Policy Monitoring Initiative, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), the Value Added Orientation for Youth NGO, and the Spirit of Faith Validation platform.
He explained that the organisations were created to identify shortcomings in public administration and develop structured solutions capable of improving governance and accountability.
In conclusion, Atoyebi noted that genuine passion, when pursued with consistency, dedication and a commitment to serving others rather than seeking immediate financial reward, has the capacity to evolve into a fulfilling career.