Don’t Abandon Democracy, Join Politics Instead, Nigerian Institute DG Tells Youths

Nigerian youths should actively engage in the nation's democratic process rather than disengaging from it, according to Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS). Sulaiman challenged young Nigerians to channel their frustrations with the democratic system into concrete political participation, asserting that democracy cannot be reformed by those who refuse to take part. He stressed that meaningful change and sustainable reform necessitate joining political parties, contesting elections, and positioning oneself to influence public policy from within. Speaking in Abuja during the commemoration of his seventh anniversary as NILDS director-general, Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning, urged young people to move beyond protests and social media criticism. "Young Nigerians should never abandon the democratic process. If you condemn the system and refuse to participate in it, you cannot change it," he declared. He acknowledged the historical role of activism in driving political reforms but insisted that lasting change requires direct involvement in governance. "You cannot reform a system from the outside alone. You must engage with it," Sulaiman advised, encouraging young people to aspire to leadership roles. Reflecting on his tenure at NILDS, Sulaiman highlighted mentorship and human capital development as key achievements, prioritizing staff welfare and professional advancement. He noted that his administration expanded educational opportunities for non-academic staff, enabling several to pursue master's and doctoral degrees.

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Young Nigerians should never abandon the democratic process. If you condemn the system and refuse to participate in it, you cannot change it