Democracy & Governance
impact Of Politics, Sports & Music On The Nigerian Youths. The Gains & Mistakes & Learnings Points -By Samuel Ajani
Ultimately, a key learning point for Nigerian youths is to be discerning consumers of music and to be aware of the impact that the music they consume can have on their beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
The impact of politics, sports and music on Nigerian youths is undeniable and far-reaching. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation with over 200 million people and is home to the world’s youngest population with over 70% of the population aged under 25. The Nigerian youth are known for their enthusiasm, hope and confidence and this energy has been channelled into several areas, including sports, music and politics.
In this article we will be looking at how these elements have impacted the Nigerian youth and the gains, mistakes and learnings points associated.
Firstly, politics has had a significant impact on Nigerian youths. With such a young population, it is no surprise that the youth take an active role in politics and are keen to be involved in decision-making processes. Despite the political corruption and mismanagement that plagues Nigeria, there is still a high level of engagement in politics amongst the youth. In the 2019 elections, over 67% of people aged 18 to 24 were registered to vote and this demonstrated just how engaged the youths are in the political process. The impact of politics on the Nigerian youths isn’t all positive though; corruption, malpractice and ethical misconduct have all been issues linked to the political process. The youth are aware of this and are keen to fight for a better and more transparent system. There is a strong sense of idealism amongst the youth who are looking to go beyond the status quo and create a better future for themselves and the country as a whole. Nevertheless, mistakes have been made, and there have been times where the Nigerian youths have gone too far and have become too politicised.
This is particularly evident in some aspects of the education system, with students becoming increasingly focused on engaging in political debate and activism rather than engaging with their studies. Thus, a key learning point for Nigerian youths is to try and find a balance between political engagement and academic study. This can be achieved through finding ways to incorporate politics into academic activities, such as debating social issues and engaging in writing political essays. Secondly, sports has had a huge influence on Nigerian youths. There are a wide variety of sports enjoyed by Nigerian youths, such as football, basketball and cricket. Nigerian sportsmen and women have achieved great success, with Nigeria being African champions in both football and basketball. The country also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. The Nigerian youth have been inspired by the success of the nation’s athletes and have become increasingly engaged in physical activities. There has been a surge in interest in organised sports as well as casual exercise and sports have become an important part of the youths’ social lives. The impact of sports on the Nigerian youth has mainly been positive, with many citing increased physical health, self-confidence and social relationships as benefits that have been gained from sports. However, there have been some mistakes made, such as the lack of facilities and resources available in poorer areas of the country. This has meant that the youth in these areas have not had the same opportunities as those in more affluent areas and this has led to inequalities in terms of access to sports. One key learning point here is the need to ensure that all areas of the country have access to the same resources, whether it be sports or education. This can be achieved through investing in sports facilities in poorer areas and ensuring that more people have access to educational opportunities.
Thirdly, music has been a major source of influence for the Nigerian youth. Hip-hop, gospel and afrobeat are just some of the genres of music popular amongst the youth. Music has become integral to the Nigerian youth culture, providing an outlet for self-expression and creativity.
The impact of music on Nigerian youths has been both positive and negative. On one hand, music has been credited with uniting people and creating a sense of community and harmony amongst the youth. This has been especially evident during the #Endsars movement, with musicians producing powerful songs that spoke to the struggles of the youth. However, some negative aspects of music have also been identified, such as certain genres of music promoting misogynistic and homophobic views. Ultimately, a key learning point for Nigerian youths is to be discerning consumers of music and to be aware of the impact that the music they consume can have on their beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.
Overall, politics, sports and music have all had an undeniable impact on the Nigerian youth and the gains, mistakes and learnings points associated with these elements are extremely important. Nigerian youths must strive to create a balance between these elements, as well as being aware of the impact each can have on their lives.
