The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the African Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF) have urged Nigerian youths to take greater ownership of the democratic process and actively participate in governance.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the call was made in Abuja at the National Youth Mentorship Conference on Sustainable Democratic Governance, themed “Building Sustainable Pathways for Civic Leadership, Electoral Participation and Democratic Governance.”
The Executive Director of AYGF, Dr Arome Salifu, said youths make up more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population and therefore have a major role to play in shaping the country’s political future.
Salifu, however, expressed concern that young Nigerians remained largely excluded from meaningful participation in governance despite their numerical strength, energy and capabilities.
He said the Not Too Young to Run law was an important step towards youth inclusion but had not eliminated the barriers limiting young people’s participation in politics.
He urged youths to reclaim their place in the democratic space through lawful political participation, networking, credible political agendas, civic engagement and economic empowerment, rather than violence, intimidation or electoral malpractice.
Also speaking, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Plateau State, Prof. Sam Egwu, urged youths to use elections as a peaceful means of expressing dissatisfaction with government and choosing competent leaders.
Egwu, who spoke on voter apathy and democratic legitimacy, said average voter turnout in Nigeria’s last three electoral cycles had remained between 30 and 35 per cent.
He urged young Nigerians to reject voter apathy and use their votes to demand better governance instead of resorting to violence.
The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, represented by Dr Christopher Ngara, identified unemployment, poverty, unequal access to education, weak institutions and limited political financing as major barriers to youth participation.
Sulaiman noted that youths were often used as voters, campaign mobilisers and political foot soldiers rather than being given opportunities to serve as policymakers, legislators and leaders.
He stressed that meaningful youth inclusion was essential to building a legitimate, responsive and sustainable democracy.
The Founder of The Mande Global Impact Consulting Ltd., Mr Suleiman Mande, urged young Nigerians to prepare for leadership by becoming informed, responsible and active citizens.
He encouraged youths to remain engaged before, during and after elections, demand transparency, respect the rule of law and hold themselves and public institutions accountable.
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