Nigerian youths urged to move beyond social media activism into politics

Senior lecturers at the University of Abuja are calling on Nigerian youth to transition from social media activism to direct political participation. They argue that Nigeria's democracy will remain fragile unless young people actively engage in governance, particularly with the 2027 general elections on the horizon.

A report by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation for Peace and Development, focusing on "Youth Political Participation and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria," identified significant obstacles hindering young Nigerians from assuming leadership roles. These include the prohibitive cost of politics, prevalent electoral violence, the influence of political godfathers, widespread poverty, and weak institutional frameworks.

“

Youths must engage beyond social media and voting. They should become active participants in democratic governance and nation-building.

While acknowledging social media's role in raising civic awareness, the report cautions that digital activism alone is insufficient to fortify democracy. Professor Yusuf Zoaka, a lecturer at the university, stressed that youths must engage beyond online platforms and voting, becoming active contributors to democratic governance and nation-building. He noted a concerning trend where youth engagement with social media often surpasses their involvement in the political process.

“

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, young people, who constitute the majority of the country’s population, have a vital role to play in promoting credible and democratic elections.

Angela Odah, Country Director of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, emphasized the pivotal role young people will play in the credibility of the 2027 elections. She urged a comprehensive view of elections, encompassing voter registration, party primaries, campaigns, and collation, all of which require transparency, peace, and inclusivity to combat manipulation and uphold democratic governance.

Professor Samson Adeniji, presenting the lead paper, stated that active citizen participation in governance is essential for democracy to flourish. He defined political participation broadly, extending beyond voting to include contesting elections, joining political parties, and election observation, underscoring the need for deeper involvement from the youth.

“

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.