The idea of Nigerian youths in politics and governance has been advanced by several youths and youth groups in recent times. In
2014, I led a group of young Nigerian professionals under the banner of Rethink Nigeria to present a document on this issue
to the then National Conference.
The document made a case for youth inclusion in politics and governance. The argument we made back then, remains the
same today. The idea of youth as leaders of tomorrow has reduced a demographic majority to a political minority. What this
means is that while the youths control the majority of votes cast during elections, they end up controlling nothing after politicians win elections.
A close look at the history of Nigeria show how much the youth have featured prominently in political leadership and
governance. But in recent times, the story is not exactly the same.
Shehu Shagari became a Federal Legislator at the age of 30 and a Minister at the age of 35. M.T. Mbu became a Minister at the age
of 25 and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom at the age of 26.
Richard Akinjide became Minister of Education at the age of 32. Maitama Sule became Oil Minister at the age of 29.
Audu Ogbeh was a Minister at the age of 35. He is still serving today as a minister. And the list goes on.
In contrast, today’s reality is a polity where Nigerian youths are used as election consultants, social media battalions and political thugs. Many have blamed the new
trend on a conspiracy of the elite class who just cannot stand the idea of vacating the scene for the younger generation creating
a system that makes it impossible for young people to emerge and succeed in politics and governance. While this
perspective is not entirely incorrect, there are more than enough premises to validate
the argument that Nigerian youths are their biggest problem.
Greed, selfish ambition, lack of capacity and “over-competition” have conspired to weaken the ability of Nigerian youths to
collaborate effectively as a united front that advances the well-being of young Nigerians.
Let’s look at some of the challenges that have constrained the Nigerian youth to the
fringes of political leadership and
governance and why nobody really takes them seriously.
First, selfishness. The idea that you must have everything for yourself alone and others can go to hell is a predominant characteristic of young people today.
Then you have the integrity challenge.
Young people cannot expect to be trusted with leadership if they insult politicians in the social media one moment and the next
moment approach these same politicians cap in hand.
Third is the mentality of every man for himself; the idea that you must demonize and destroy other youths as long as it guarantees you a spot at the top.
Lack of capacity is another major issue. The urge by youths to arrive quickly at the top without first subjecting themselves to building capacity going through process;
mentorship, followership and
apprenticeship. Today, many young people want to own a company and lead an organization, even when the capacity for such leadership is lacking.
We must not forget poverty. Many youths are constrained by sheer economic pressure and find themselves ready to do
anything for survival.
Competition in place of healthy
collaborations has turned many young people into rat race runners who feel compelled to prove a point that they are the
best at what and end up not seeing any good in others.
A recently disturbing trend is the rising wave of intolerance to dissenting viewpoints and ideologies. Come to the
social media and see what young people are doing to themselves in the name of politics and the superiority contest to establish who holds the best opinion.
The ‘Pull Him Down’ syndrome is a
predominant characteristic of today’s youth. If it’s not me in that position, whoever else is there must be disgraced, embarrassed and pulled down.
I remember being labelled with all sorts of names in the social media and the only crime I committed was taking a political appointment to work in the Nigerian Govt.
Every ministry where I served as a
ministerial aide, much of the attacks I faced came from young people. Ministries that
were forgotten suddenly became trending topics on Twitter because Ohimai went there. They completely forgot I was a young
person like them and needed their support to succeed. As far as some were concerned, I had joined their oppressors on the other side.
