Ex-VP attacks Buhari's business sense over lazy youths comment

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, further dismissed President Muhammadu Buharis controversial comments about Nigerian youths, remarking that he doesnt blame the president because he doesnt know any better.

While speaking at the Commonwealth Business Forum in Westminster on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, President Buhari remarked that a lot of Nigerian youths wait on handouts from the government.

"More than 60 percent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven't been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria has been an oil producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free," he said.

He has been heavily criticised by Nigerians for his utterance, with Atiku previously commenting that Nigerian youths are hardworking with great entrepreneurial spirit, work ethic, and creative abilities that should be nurtured.

When he was asked about the president's comments again while he was speaking at Chatham House on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, Atiku said he doesn't blame the president because he doesn't have the outlets to engage with youths.

"I own businesses and am an employer of young people. I don't agree with any assertion that the youth are lazy. They need education and opportunities.

"But I'm not surprised with the fellow who made that remark because he's not an employer of labour, he has no business, he has no educational institution so he doesn't relate with youth in schools so I don’t blame him" he said.