Senior lecturers in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja, now Yakubu Gowon University, have charged Nigerian youths to look beyond social media activism and take direct part in politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They cautioned that the nation’s democracy would stay fragile unless young people engage practically in governance. The appeal was contained in a report released on Friday by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation for Peace and Development after a democracy conference held in partnership with the department.
The report examined “Youth Political Participation and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria” and “Digital Politics, Electoral Integrity and Peace-building in Contemporary Nigeria,” listing the high cost of politics, electoral violence, godfatherism, poverty and weak institutions as key obstacles to youth leadership.
Delivering the welcome address, Professor Yusuf Zoaka said democratic governance had continued to decline despite expectations of growth through transparency and accountability. “Youths must engage beyond social media and voting. They should become active participants in democratic governance and nation-building,” he said.
Country Director of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, Angela Odah, said young people, who make up the bulk of the population, would help determine the credibility of the 2027 polls. “Every stage of the electoral process must be transparent, peaceful and inclusive, free from electoral violence, vote-buying and other forms of manipulation that undermine democratic governance,” she said.
Presenting the lead paper, Professor Samson Adeniji argued that democracy thrives only with active citizen involvement, adding that the Not Too Young To Run Act had opened doors but many youths still lacked funds, networks and institutional backing. “The high cost of politics, political godfatherism, electoral violence, poverty, unemployment and weak internal party democracy continue to hinder meaningful youth participation,” he said.
Dr Uchenna Umeorekwu tied vote-buying to poverty, warning, “As long as economic hardship persists, many voters will remain susceptible to inducements from political actors.” On digital politics, Professor Saleh Dauda cautioned that online platforms could spread misinformation “capable of undermining electoral integrity and deepening political divisions.”
The report recommended cutting the cost of politics, strengthening electoral institutions, deepening civic education, and expanding youth and women’s inclusion, while urging young Nigerians to register, reject vote-buying and join political parties. Young people account for a large share of Nigeria’s estimated 230 million population yet remain underrepresented in elective and appointive offices.
Source: Punch.
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