The rights, responsibilities and obligations of the Nigerian youth are contextualised in the provisions of chapter four of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigerian which itemise the fundamental human rights of Nigeria citizens, as well as in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the African charter of Human and Peoples Rights. This policy subscribes to all the rights guaranteed by the 1999 Nigerian constitution and by other international Charters, Covenants, and ‘or Conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Every set rights that a person has, has a corresponding set of obligation. In order to make Nigerian youths tolerant, caring, responsible, and productive citizens, the policy outlines the following set of obligations to active participation of the youth in national development; promotion and defense of democracy and civility in the governance of the country and in inter-personal relations with fellow citizens; eschewing all acts of violence and crimes, such as cultism, armed robbery, street violence, alcoholism, substance abuse, prostitution, and so on; promotion of the principle of gender equality, active involvement in the promotion of national unity, national reconciliation, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness; conservation and promotion of the environment against pollution and degradation; respect for and promotion of all symbols of national unity, such as the flag, the national pledge  and the national anthem;  Promotion of a healthy, responsible and respectable lifestyle free from communicable diseases, alcohol and drugs; and Be good ambassadors of Nigeria abroad, and promote international peace and harmony, among others.
The government, parents and guardians also have obligations to ensure that youth are empowered to discharge their obligations to society. The policy accepts that they have a responsibility to create the enabling environment for the right kind of orientation, education and psychological conditioning for the youth. Their obligations include the provision of  atmosphere for the mental, emotional and physical development of the young persons; guiding the youths towards responsible and ethical conduct and leadership by example; creating opportunities for the youth to be involved in making decisions that affect them, the environment and society, providing adequate funding for education and equal opportunities to be educated etc.
However, there are a number of factors militating against youth well being. The National Youth Policy identifies the factors militating against youth well being to include:
Inadequate parental care, non-availability of suitable sports and recreational facilities, moral decadence in the society, lack of appropriate role models, religious fanaticism, cult activities, and political manipulation of youth organisations, others are unemployment and underemployment, poor education, breakdown of family values, and indiscipline
Apart from these factors identified by the National Youth Policy, there are other factors militating youth economic well being such as: Inequality between families, ignorance about parental obligations to children, single parenthood, cultural and belief systems, etc.
The wider social context in which young people live cannot be overlooked. Initiatives working at individual level must therefore be paralleled with initiatives working at wider level to improve the structure of opportunities so that individuals are not held back by disadvantage at any time in their lives, or blamed for circumstances which are beyond their control.
The ‘employability’ of young people is an important issue. The concept of employability can be individualising, that is, it leads to blaming young people for their circumstances and letting the system off the hook. On this, the young people need to be more proactive and to maintain a positive approach to opportunities, for in the end, they are responsible for their success or failure.
The change in young people’s transitions to adulthood are very largely, the result of changing policies, such as the extension of education, and the shift in responsibility for social protection from the state to the family. But these changes also have major implications for youth policy and provision and a rethink is needed. What may have worked a generation ago is less likely to work now. Policies and services cannot ignore the problems associated with the extension of dependence on their families and unequal access to parental support, at a time when state support is not forth coming.
The focus on the individual will not be sufficient, and maximizing individual potential is not enough. The raising of a young person’s human capital(self-esteem, educational qualifications, work experience) needs to be matched with the development of structures which actively reduce the barriers for those who are advantaged and provide real opportunities to all.

Being an excerpt of a paper presented by professor Ohale of the University of Port Harcourt at the Rivers State Youth sensitisation workshop, recently.