Young people between the ages of 15 and 25 constitute a
fifth of the world’s population. While they are often involved in informal,
politically relevant processes, such as activism or civic engagement, they are
not formally represented in national political institutions such as parliaments
and many of them do not participate in elections (UNDP, 2013). The UN Programme on Youth defines youth participation as the
active and meaningful involvement of young people in all aspects of their own,
and their communities’ development, including their empowerment to contribute
to decisions about their personal, family, social, economic and political
development.
With more than half Nigeria’s population between the ages of
18 and 35, young people represent one of the country’s most promising assets.
Yet despite limited progress in strengthening youth engagement in recent years,
young men and women continue to be left out of decision-making processes. The
failure to draw this energetic and innovative sector into the work of democracy
and development can have serious implications, as evidenced in Nigeria’s
northeast, Middle Belt, and Niger Delta, where armed insurgents recruit
alienated youth, offering them a strong sense of purpose and financial
compensation (Dave, 2013). During liberation
struggle from colonial rule, Nigeria benefited from strength, determination and
sacrifice for change from young men such as Dr. Herbert Macaulay, Ernest Ikoli,
Chief H O Davis, J C Vaughan, Oba Samuel Akinsanya, Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe, Tafawa
Balewa, and Obafemi Awolowo among others.
Presently, youth participation in politics and decision
making has fallen to the lowest level juxtaposed to pre and post colonial era. According
to 2012
National Baseline Youth Survey Report of National Bureau of Statistics (2013) survey, 49.4% of male youths
and 50.6% of female youths were not registered voters. Furthermore, the survey
revealed that about 61 percent of those who have leadership training are males,
while their female counterparts are 39.3 percent; thus revealing gender disparity
in their participation. This explains why youths are not well represented in
the politics of Nigeria.
Learning from Arab States popular uprisings and various
Occupy movements where youth-led protests have forced authoritarian regimes
from power; significant frustration is likely to arise if youth are not included
in new formal decision-making. This can destabilize democratization and
accelerate conflict dynamics. However,
youths must realise that dreams of new Nigeria would not be realised by mere
wishes and criticism but by developing a new orientation and taking positive participatory
steps to transform the country.
