Human rights activist and #EndSARS campaigner Rinu Oduala speaks with Tope Omogbolagun about youth participation in politics, especially the upcoming 2023 general elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) records show a 9 % decline in youth‑registered voters between 2019 and 2023. Oduala rejects the notion that social‑media perception of youth awareness and participation is overrated. She argues that the shortcomings of the current administration and the hardships facing the country are understated. While many encourage young people to vote, they overlook the structural barriers: Nigeria’s unemployment rate exceeds 30 %, more than 60 % of young people are jobless, insecurity is widespread, brain drain continues, promises are broken, corruption intensifies, and human‑rights abuses—including police brutality—are alarming. Over 20 million children are out of school and the education system is in disarray. With little government presence in their lives, youths are asked to engage in a system that has failed them.
Oduala notes that abstention can be a form of civil disobedience, but many young people also feel apathetic or disinterested because of the corrupt, fraudulent nature of elections, the difficult voter‑registration process, inevitable electoral violence, and doubts about whether their votes truly count. Nevertheless, INEC data show that a considerable number of new voters this cycle are young people, indicating sustained interest and a desire to influence who leads the nation. When young Nigerians protest, politicians often claim they do not vote; yet a new generation is becoming conscious of its civic duties. Some choose to “Japa” abroad, while others decide to vote. Online, many youths appear devoted to a single candidate or party, and Oduala believes they can deliver the votes their preferred candidates need. Their preferences reflect dissatisfaction with entrenched leaders who have failed to address the country’s challenges.
Regarding the older generation, Oduala describes a divide: older voters often sell their votes or vote along religious and ethnic lines, while younger Nigerians believe the country can improve through active engagement. By participating in mass movements with energy and passion, young people demonstrate that they are not lazy; they simply lack opportunities. They call for a bright future and leaders who will not stifle aspirations or undermine democratic ideals.
On the issue of closing tertiary institutions to facilitate voting, Oduala points out that students account for over 40 % of newly registered voters, with more than 25 million current voters being students—numbers comparable to the total votes received by presidential candidates in the last election. The federal government should reject calls to shut down schools, ensuring that students can vote and dispelling the myth that youth are deliberately excluded to benefit older generations.
When asked whether age should be a major criterion for leadership, Oduala argues that competence, character and capacity are paramount, though these traits are often linked to age. Young people’s demand for a young president reflects a desire for leaders who understand contemporary global events and the needs of a youthful population that makes up over 60 % of Nigeria. She criticises older presidents for abandoning office for medical tourism and questions the wisdom of electing leaders who require frequent foreign medical care.
Despite the “Not Too Young to Run” bill, youth representation in political leadership remains below 1 %. Oduala attributes this to years of governmental indifference, corruption and poor leadership, which have eroded hope and disengaged young Nigerians from traditional politics. The high cost of politics—exemplified by party nomination forms reaching $100,000 in a country where the minimum wage is under $100—further excludes unemployed or underemployed youths. Political patronage networks, vote‑buying and ethnic or religious clientelism allow entrenched old politicians to thrive while poverty persists.
Reflecting on the #EndSARS protest, Oduala affirms that it sparked significant change, creating a social awakening and a new political consciousness. Young Nigerians now have a distinct view of how leaders should interact with citizens, and politicians are forced to reckon with an increasingly aware electorate. While recent protests over the new naira and fuel shortages have not yet yielded concrete results, they demonstrate the growing willingness of youth to mobilise.
Finally, Oduala advises young Nigerians to channel their anger into the ballot box: “Let our protest songs become thumbprints on the ballot, and our placards become PVCs.” She envisions a Nigeria where citizens no longer feel compelled to “Japa,” where education and healthcare are prioritised, votes truly count, and governance is truly of, by and for the people. Achieving this dream would not only transform Nigeria but also set a positive example for the rest of Africa.
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