Can young people save Nigerian democracy? Untold story of fight for change

By Melody Okereke

In 2018, when the Not Too Young To Run Act was passed into law, it marked a significant moment in Nigeria’s democratic history. The law lowered the age requirements for running for political office, symbolizing a step toward youth inclusion in governance.

For many young Nigerians, it was a glimmer of hope—a sign that their voices, long ignored, were beginning to gain recognition. But as the dust settled, a harsh reality emerged: legislative victories are only the first step. Turning those victories into systemic change requires sustained effort, organization, and resilience. The question remains: Can Nigeria’s youths, its largest demographic and most dynamic resource, rise to the challenge of saving a democracy under strain?

The State of Nigeria’s Democracy
Nigeria’s democracy, established in 1999, has endured numerous challenges. While elections have become a regular feature, they are often marred by violence, corruption, voter apathy, and a lack of trust in institutions.

Many citizens, particularly the youth, feel disillusioned by a system that seems more focused on enriching the political elite than addressing the needs of the people. The statistics are telling. Youth unemployment hovers around 40%, and access to quality education and healthcare remains limited.

The democratic promise of equal opportunity and shared prosperity feels far from reality for most young Nigerians.
This discontent is evident in voter turnout. Despite making up over 60% of the population, young people have historically been underrepresented at the polls, either due to systemic barriers or sheer disinterest. But this narrative is beginning to change, as Nigerian youths increasingly recognize the power of their collective voice.

A Rising Tide of Youth-Led Movements
Over the past decade, young Nigerians have stepped into the political and civic space with renewed vigor. Beyond protests, they are organizing, educating, and mobilizing to challenge the status quo. One example is the surge in youth participation in local governance.

In Lagos and Kwara States respectively, young people have run for local council positions, bringing fresh perspectives to governance. They are challenging the notion that change can only come from the top, focusing instead on grassroots solutions to community issues.

Young Nigerians are also leveraging technology to advocate for transparency and accountability. Platforms like BudgIT and Tracka —both led by young innovators— use data to expose corruption and ensure that public funds are spent as intended. These initiatives reflect a shift from passive criticism to active participation in governance.

Barriers to Youth Participation
Despite these gains, however, the road to a youth-led democratic revival is fraught with challenges. Systemic barriers, such as the high cost of election nomination forms, make it difficult for many young Nigerians to contest for office. Political godfatherism—the practice of older politicians controlling access to power—further entrenches the status quo, leaving little room for fresh voices.

Moreover, voter suppression tactics, such as late delivery of election materials and violence at polling units, disproportionately affect youth-dominated areas. These obstacles are not only logistical but are arguably deliberate attempts to discourage popular participation in the democratic process.

Perhaps the most significant challenge is culture. For years, Nigerian youths have been dismissed as “leaders of tomorrow,” a phrase that often translates to exclusion from decision-making today. Changing this mindset requires a generational shift in how leadership is perceived and practiced.

Strategies for Saving Democracy
To truly save Nigeria’s democracy, young people must go beyond protests and hashtags and embrace a deeper and more sustained form of engagement. In recent years, political education initiatives have begun to spring up, often led by passionate young Nigerians who understand the need for informed participation.

Programs teaching the fundamentals of governance, policy-making, and electoral systems are empowering youths in rural and urban areas alike, giving them the tools to navigate and influence Nigeria’s complex political landscape.

Technology is proving to be one of the most powerful weapons in this fight. Social media, which once served as a platform for protests, is now being used to educate voters, expose corruption, and monitor elections. In the 2023 general elections, young activists used mobile apps to track polling unit reports, helping to highlight discrepancies and demand transparency. These digital efforts demonstrated to the political elites that the youths are watching, and they understand the system better than ever before.

Some young Nigerians are no longer content with observing from the sidelines. They are running for political offices, breaking into spaces that were once the preserve of older politicians. In local councils, state assemblies, and even national elections, youthful candidates are challenging entrenched political structures. Their campaigns are often self-funded and driven by grassroots support, demonstrating a new kind of politics —one that prioritizes service over self-interest.

Collaboration is also becoming a hallmark of this movement. Youth-led organizations are forming alliances with civil society groups, international agencies, and even progressive older leaders. These partnerships are amplifying their voices and giving them the resources they need to push for systemic reform.

Policy advocacy remains a critical front in this battle. Beyond elections, young people are organizing to influence governance directly. They are demanding job creation, education reform, and better healthcare, shaping the national agenda through petitions, public debates, and dialogue with policymakers.

This multidimensional approach —one that combines education, technology, grassroots mobilization, coalition-building, and advocacy— is gradually shifting the tide. Young Nigerians are showing that saving democracy is not a one-time event but a sustained effort, a commitment to rewriting the narrative of leadership in their country.

Hope on the Horizon
The question, “Can young people save the Nigerian democracy?” is not rhetorical. It is both a challenge and a call to action for the country’s largest and most vibrant demographic. The successes so far, from the Not Too Young To Run Act to the rise of independent candidates, demonstrate what is possible when young people organize and engage. But the work is far from over.

For democracy to thrive, it must deliver on its promises. And for it to deliver, young Nigerians must remain at the forefront, demanding accountability, participating in governance, and shaping policies that reflect their aspirations.

The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends not on its past but on its present. It depends on the young people who refuse to accept the status quo, who dare to imagine a better nation, and who are willing to fight for it. The story of Nigerian youths saving democracy is still unfolding.

But one thing is certain: if democracy has a future in Nigeria, it will be written by the courage, determination, and resilience of its young people.