Promoting Adolescent Well-Being as A Prerequisite for Nigeria’s National Development: A 21st Century Perspective

Abstract

This research investigates the significance of well-being on the overall development of the nation, focused on the Nigerian context. It discusses the challenges and the prospects. Primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative data, including academic papers, governmental and international organizational sheets, are analyzed using a mixed approach. It emphasizes the correlation of adolescent well-being to development, considering enormous potential adolescents hold in future nation building. Simultaneously, it criticizes the absence of basic building blocks, which include educational systems, scope of healthcare, and economic opportunity. Therefore, the study suggests the need to address well-being from different fronts that includes psychosocial development through education and healthcare systems, economic pipelines, and civic and social rights active participation. The study speaks to the conscience of educational leaders, politicians, and developmental practitioners on advancing adolescent well-being, considering national development aspirations of Nigeria.