Youth political participation and decision making

The sole responsibility of the Nigerian Youth Initiative for Good Governance (NYIGG) is to "Canvass for Youth Participation in Local Governance".

Now that the “NotTooYoungToRun” bill has been signed, it’s a duty for every young Nigerian to get involved in Local Governance.

Young people in Nigeria are often referred to as the future of the country. They are seen as future leaders who will make important decisions impacting the lives of future generations. But, the big questions are:

Youth participation is not simply political involvement but is a way to influence and engage in actions and decisions that impact young people’s lives.

This means not just voting, but participating in youth representative bodies, and structuring their organizations to be active and able to advance both youth interests and those of their communities.

Moreover, participation in democratic political affairs is a right that young people can exercise without discrimination, regardless of their nationality, language, and cultural background.

Hart’s model of youth participation (1992; 8), visualizes participation as a ladder, (five levels of participation and three levels of non-participation)—a useful tool to understand how initiatives and projects can contribute to youth participation.

Youth participation does not have to be limited to political issues, several other areas of youth participation are:

• Ø  Economic Participation: Relates to employment and work in general, to economic development, eliminating poverty, building a stable economic situation for society, a region or young people as a group;
• Ø  Social participation: Relates to involvement in the life of a local community, addressing local problems and challenges;
• Ø  Cultural participation: Relates to different forms of art and expression (visual arts, music, film, dance etc.). 

These areas are not mutually exclusive, so sometimes initiatives or projects address more than one area.

• Youth participation in local governance can produce tangible benefits, including:
• Ø  Young people’s knowledge of democracy increases.
• Ø  Adults begin supporting young people’s initiatives.
• Ø  Young people become prepared for future responsibilities (in terms of community management).
• Ø  Young people begin making positive difference in lives and their communities.
• Ø  Young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions.

Mustapha Abdullahi

For: Nigerian Youth Initiative for Good Governance
+2348068048776,

[email protected]

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