Lecturers urge youths to engage in politics beyond social media
Senior lecturers at Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja) are calling on Nigerian youths to move from online activism to direct political participation. The call was made in a report released by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation for Peace and Development after a democracy conference. Professor Yusuf Zoaka, Angela Odah, Professor Samson Adeniji, Dr Uchenna Umeorekwu, Professor Saleh Dauda, and Professor Magdalene all emphasized the importance of youth involvement in governance. The report highlights barriers to youth participation and urges reforms to strengthen democracy.
What we know
- The report stresses that social media activism alone cannot strengthen Nigeria’s democracy; direct youth involvement in politics is essential.
- Angela Odah and others noted that young people will play a decisive role in the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
- Barriers such as high costs, political godfatherism, poverty, weak institutions, and electoral violence limit youth participation in politics.
- The Not Too Young To Run Act has lowered age requirements for elective positions, but financial and institutional challenges persist.
- The report recommends reducing the cost of politics, strengthening institutions, improving civic education, and encouraging youths to register, join parties, and reject vote-buying.
