Youths And The Wall Of Exclusion: A Quest For Youths Inclusion In Leadership And Governance -By Babangida Mohammed

Global explosion in knowledge and social consciousness has enhanced the capacity of Nigerian Youths. However, their ability to utilize these assets effectively to drive national transformation would depend on the leadership opportunities available to them. According to an independent research by the British Council, by 2030; “Youth not oil, will be Nigeria’s greatest asset”. However, the way Nigeria defines the Youth and their place in the leadership of this nation is fundamental to Youth political representation and inclusion.

The concept of Youth as leaders of tomorrow, and the harrowing narration that youth are the backbone of the society has constricted a very important social category to the political fringe and reduced a demographic majority to political minority. This needs to change.

This position written seeks to advance an avenue that will enable the Nigerian Youth scale the wall of exclusion in leadership and governance in the most appropriate ways and manner that the society will made progress. 

However, a simple but complex question seldom asked, “why should the Youth participate in politics and governance, in which way and manner that they should be engaged in, what benefits that their participation would bring to them and the society?  Involving young people in politics leads to a civic engagement that goes beyond political commitment, as it can involve servicing the community through active participation by making contributions towards the development of health, education, and other charitable works. By this, youth participation in leadership will brings better changes to the political system and the society as a whole. 

Nowadays, the manner in which Nigerian Youths participate in politics of today is alarming if one were to make an assessments on how the young stars engaged in diety politics and exchanging insult with each other on social media platforms. Enough of this shameless behavior! Nigeria need young people who are honest, committed, dedicated, knowledgeable, responsible, respectful, disciplined, humble and integrity among others. Nigeria is looking for young men and Women who embraced these traits to serve in different leadership capacity and promote good governance. 

It is important for our current leaders to realize that the Youth are the leaders of today’s not tomorrow as the saying goes and in this sense to have a greater stake in what their future will look like. They are the creative force, a dynamic source of innovation, and youth have undoubtedly, throughout history, participated, contributed, and even catalyzed important changes in political systems, power sharing dynamics and economic opportunities. 

Can be reached via babangidamuhammadcaptain@gmail.com