The youth, often regarded as the backbone of any society, have historically been catalysts for positive change and development. However, in Kwara State, the so-called “Data Boys” have become a grim illustration of how youth potential can be weaponized, misdirected, and ultimately squandered by a self-serving administration.
These “Data Boys,” young individuals whose primary duty is to promote and defend the Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq-led government on social media, have effectively traded their future for mere peanuts. Their efforts—often involving spinning propaganda, deflecting criticism, and engaging in political mudslinging—have earned them the unfortunate reputation of being pawns in a system that offers neither empowerment nor genuine opportunity. Rather than cultivating their talents or contributing meaningfully to their respective personal development and by extension that of Kwara, these youth have been relegated to the role of digital mercenaries, sacrificing their integrity and social reputation in exchange for negligible financial rewards, defending the indefensible and painting a rosy picture of a government that has failed to deliver substantial dividends of democracy.
What concrete achievements can the Data Boys point to since their years of engagement? None. Instead, they serve as an example of a generation whose future has been mortgaged for temporary gains. While their counterparts in other states are innovating, leading initiatives, and building lasting legacies, the Data Boys are stuck in the endless cycle of media warfare, unable to escape the stigma of being tools of propaganda.
No Empowerment, No Appointments, No Legacy, this government is notoriously know for using and discarding its allies, has offered these young people little more than scraps. No substantial empowerment programs. No significant appointments. No pathways to sustainable careers or dignified livelihoods. When the tenure of this administration ends—and it will—what will the Data Boys have to show for their loyalty?
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has a well-documented history of abandoning those who serve him when they are no longer useful. The Data Boys are no exception. Their unwavering loyalty will not shield them from being cast aside when the tide of political expediency shifts.
It is time for the Data Boys to wake up and reflect on the choices they’ve made. By prioritizing short-term gains over long-term development, they have jeopardized their reputations and risked becoming pariahs in a society that values integrity and accountability. The crumbs they receive today will not sustain them tomorrow, and the damage to their reputation may take years, if not decades, to repair.
History will not remember them kindly. They will not be celebrated as youth who contributed to the progress of Kwara but rather as slaves to a system that exploited their potential for selfish political ends.
As Kwara State looks toward the future, the Data Boys must abandon this path of self-destruction. They must demand accountability not only from the government they serve but also from themselves. It is time for them to reclaim their dignity and focus on building a future that transcends the fleeting allure of political patronage.
The Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq administration will end, but the stain of complicity will linger. The question the Data Boys must ask themselves is this: When the dust settles, and history is written, where will they stand? With the builders of Kwara or as mere footnotes in its decline?
Aminullahi Alanamu is a progressive youth, he writes from the ancient city of Ilorin and can be reached vie AAAlanamu1992@gmail.com
