EKSU Law Student Champions Women, Youth Participation in Politics

In the lead-up to Nigeria's 2027 general elections, a compelling call for greater political involvement from women and youth is resonating across the nation, spearheaded by Fatiha Olomide, a final-year law student at Ekiti State University (EKSU). Olomide, the Convener of the 'Our Future is Now Project,' is championing an expanded advocacy agenda aimed at empowering young Nigerians and addressing critical social issues that impact the country's trajectory. What began as an advocacy platform against the rising number of out-of-school children has evolved into a broader movement pushing for women's inclusion in governance and robust youth participation in the political process.

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We cannot continue to complain about poor representation when we are not actively participating. Women must begin to take their rightful place in decision-making spaces.

Olomide emphasizes that the urgency for young people and women to engage in leadership has never been greater. She posits that political inclusion is not merely a matter of representation but a fundamental pathway to achieving sustainable national development. The 'Our Future is Now Project' is actively campaigning for more women to occupy both appointive and elective positions, viewing gender inclusion as an essential component of balanced and people-centered governance. Olomide's message is clear: Nigeria cannot afford to continue lamenting poor representation while a significant portion of its population remains on the sidelines of decision-making processes.

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Our generation must stop seeing politics as a dirty game. If we stay away, we leave the future in the hands of people who may not represent our interests.

Addressing the youth directly, Olomide urges them to transcend the limitations of social media activism and immerse themselves in direct political engagement, policy dialogues, and leadership initiatives at all levels. She challenges the perception of politics as a 'dirty game,' warning that disengagement by the youth effectively cedes the future to those who may not prioritize their interests. Furthermore, the project is tackling pressing social vices such as prostitution and internet fraud, recognizing them as significant threats to the future well-being of Nigerian youths. Olomide's vision is to cultivate a generation that is not only educated and responsible but also politically conscious, ready to seize the future that rightfully belongs to them.

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We are committed to building a generation that is educated, responsible and politically conscious. The future truly belongs to us, and we must begin to prepare for it now.