FromTwitter Threads to Ballot Boxes: It's Time for Nigerian Youth to Lead
Nigeria is a youthful nation—over 70% of the population is under 35. Yet, political power remains firmly in the hands of the old guard. The “Not Too Young to Run” bill was passed in 2018, reducing the age limits to contest elections. But how many young people have actually taken advantage of it?
🧠From Online Energy to Offline Impact
Nigerian youth dominate social media. They trend hashtags, expose injustice, and rally online movements. But we must realize that tweets don’t change policies—votes do. If we don’t transition from online warriors to real-life political actors, we risk allowing the same recycled leaders to remain in charge.
💪 Why Youth Must Participate
1. We Understand the Issues: From ASUU strikes to unemployment, no one understands the Nigerian struggle more than the youth who live it daily.
2. We Are Educated and Exposed: Today’s youth have access to global trends, better ideas, and technological skills to lead smartly.
3. We Have the Numbers: In any democracy, numbers matter. If the youth vote with one voice, we can shape leadership.
🧠How to Get Involved
Register to Vote: A voter’s card is your political power. Don’t waste it.
Join Political Parties: If you don’t like the ones that exist, infiltrate them or start something new.
Run for Office: Local government, student union, councillorship—it all starts somewhere.
Support Youth Candidates: Put your energy, voice, and platform behind those trying to change things.
🌱 Change Starts with Boldness
The youth are not the future—they are the now. From Sowore to Banky W to Rinu Oduala, we’ve seen glimpses of what youth leadership could look like. But we need more. We need YOU.
Don’t wait to be invited into leadership. Claim it. Nigeria belongs to all of us, not just those born before independence.
Adedayo Obadina
Talksocialtalks
