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⏱️ 12 minutes read
Nigerian Youths and Leadership: Can the Future Generation Truly Lead?
Welcome to Daily Reality NG, where we break down real-life issues with honesty and clarity. The conversation about youth leadership in Nigeria has never been more urgent, more relevant, or more complicated. I'm Samson Ese, founder of Daily Reality NG. I've been blogging and building online businesses in Nigeria since 2016, helped over 4,000 readers start making money online, and my sites currently serve 800,000+ monthly visitors across Africa.
Last October, I sat in a small meeting room in Yaba with twelve young Nigerians, all between twenty-four and thirty-five years old. They were professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, tech founders. One question dominated the conversation: "Can we really change this country, or are we just wasting our time?"
The room went quiet. Then someone spoke. "My uncle has been in politics for twenty years. He told me directly: don't even try unless you have at least fifty million naira and connections to godfathers." Another added, "I tried joining a political party. They asked for money I don't have and loyalty to people I don't respect."
That conversation stayed with me because it captured the tension Nigerian youths live with daily. We're told we're the leaders of tomorrow, yet every door to leadership seems locked from the inside by those who refuse to step aside.
Truth be told, Nigerian youths make up over sixty percent of the population. We're educated, connected, innovative, and frustrated. Yet political power remains concentrated in the hands of people who've held it for decades, many of whom seem disconnected from the realities facing young Nigerians today.
The Current State of Youth Leadership in Nigeria
Nigerian youth involvement in formal leadership remains abysmally low. The average age of elected officials sits well above fifty-five. Many legislators, governors, and ministers have been recycled through various positions for two, three, even four decades.
When young people do enter politics, they often serve as foot soldiers, campaigning for older politicians, organizing rallies, and mobilizing votes. Once elections end, they're sidelined while older elites occupy decision-making positions.
The "Not Yet Your Time" Mentality
Nigerian political culture operates on a seniority system that values age over competence, connections over credentials, and loyalty over innovation. Young people are constantly told to "wait their turn," as if leadership is a queue where you must stand for decades before reaching the front.
This mentality ignores global realities. Countries like France, Finland, New Zealand, and Austria have elected leaders in their thirties and forties who brought fresh perspectives and responded more effectively to contemporary challenges, particularly around climate change, technology, and youth unemployment.
Youth Movements and Activism
The EndSARS movement of 2020 demonstrated Nigerian youth power dramatically. Young people organized, funded, and sustained nationwide protests demanding police reform and better governance. The movement was largely leaderless, coordinated through social media, and funded by youth contributions and diaspora support.
For a moment, it seemed like a genuine youth revolution. Then came the violent crackdown at Lekki Tollgate, government repression, and eventual fragmentation of the movement. Many young activists faced harassment, bank account freezes, and intimidation. The message was clear: challenge the system, face consequences.
Yet EndSARS proved something important. Nigerian youths can organize, mobilize resources, and sustain collective action when motivated. The question is whether that energy can translate into lasting institutional change and political power.
Understanding personal growth and leadership development remains crucial for young Nigerians aspiring to lead effectively.
Barriers Keeping Youths Out of Leadership
Financial Barriers: The Cost of Politics
Nigerian politics is expensive. Running for local government chairman can cost millions. State House of Assembly seats require tens of millions. Federal positions demand hundreds of millions or billions when you factor in party primaries, campaign expenses, and "mobilization" costs.
Where do young people get this money? Most are still building careers, starting businesses, or struggling with unemployment. Meanwhile, older politicians have had decades to accumulate wealth, often through questionable means, giving them overwhelming financial advantages.
Party nomination fees alone disqualify most youths. During the 2023 election cycle, presidential nomination forms cost fifty to one hundred million naira depending on the party. Even House of Representatives forms ran into millions. How does a thirty-year-old without inherited wealth or political godfathers compete?
The Godfather System
Nigerian politics operates heavily on patronage networks. Political godfathers control party structures, determine who gets nominated, fund campaigns, and expect loyalty and financial returns once their candidates win.
Young aspirants without godfathers face nearly impossible odds. Even if they raise campaign funds independently, party structures can block their nominations, manipulate primaries, or sabotage their campaigns. The system rewards those who "play ball" with established power brokers.
Some youths try partnering with godfathers, only to discover they've traded one form of control for another. They win elections but can't govern independently, forced to prioritize their godfather's interests over constituents' needs.
Violence and Intimidation
Nigerian politics can be dangerous, especially for outsiders challenging established interests. Political thuggery, violence during primaries and elections, and post-election intimidation discourage many potential young leaders.
Women and younger candidates face particular vulnerability. Stories circulate of youth aspirants physically attacked at party meetings, their campaign materials destroyed, or families threatened. Without security apparatus or connections to protect them, many retreat from political ambition.
Lack of Internal Party Democracy
Most Nigerian political parties lack genuine internal democracy. Decisions happen behind closed doors among party elites. Primaries are often shams where predetermined candidates "win" regardless of delegate votes.
Young party members find themselves marginalized, their voices ignored in strategy meetings, their nominations blocked despite grassroots support. Party leadership positions go to older members or those with financial muscle, perpetuating the cycle.
Educational and Socioeconomic Factors
While many young Nigerians are educated, education alone doesn't guarantee political access. The system values money and connections more than degrees or competence.
Additionally, economic pressure forces many youths to prioritize survival over civic engagement. When you're hustling daily to pay rent and feed yourself, attending political meetings or organizing campaigns becomes a luxury you can't afford.
Managing stress while pursuing leadership ambitions requires intentional effort. Learn how to build a wellness routine that sustains your mental and physical health during demanding times.
Young Leaders Breaking Through: Success Stories
Despite overwhelming barriers, some young Nigerians have broken through and assumed leadership positions. Their stories offer lessons and hope.
Abubakar Dabo Lere: Youngest House of Representatives Member
Elected at twenty-eight to represent Danbatta/Makoda Federal Constituency in Kano State, Dabo Lere represents the possibility of youth leadership. He ran on a platform focused on youth empowerment, education, and constituency development.
His success came from deep community engagement, starting grassroots organizing years before running, and strategic alliance-building with local power structures. He showed that young candidates can win when they combine authenticity with strategic political navigation.
Youth Commissioners and Special Advisers
Some state governors have appointed young people as commissioners and special advisers, particularly in technology, entrepreneurship, and youth affairs portfolios. While these aren't elected positions, they provide young leaders opportunities to demonstrate competence and influence policy.
Critics argue these appointments are often tokenistic, giving young people positions without real power or budget authority. Yet they create visibility for youth leadership and can serve as stepping stones to elected office.
Local Government Chairmen
Several Nigerians in their thirties have won local government chairman positions across various states. Local government offers more accessible entry points than state or federal offices, with lower financial barriers and closer community connections.
These young chairmen often face challenges from state governors who control local government funds, limiting their autonomy. Still, they prove that youth leadership is possible and can be effective when given genuine authority.
Civic Tech and Digital Advocacy
Many young Nigerians are leading through civic technology organizations, advocacy groups, and digital platforms rather than traditional politics. Organizations like BudgIT, EiE Nigeria, YIAGA Africa, and others led by young Nigerians have influenced policy, increased government transparency, and empowered citizens.
While not elected officials, these leaders demonstrate alternative pathways to impact. They've shown that leadership doesn't always require political office, and sometimes external pressure creates more change than working within broken systems.
The rise of digital inclusion initiatives has expanded opportunities for youth participation in governance and civic engagement.
Beyond Politics: Other Leadership Paths
Political office isn't the only form of leadership. Nigerian youths are leading in numerous other arenas that shape society and economy.
Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership
Young Nigerian entrepreneurs are building companies that employ thousands, solve real problems, and compete globally. From fintech to logistics, agriculture to entertainment, youth-led businesses are transforming the economy.
These entrepreneurs create jobs, pay taxes, and drive innovation without waiting for government permission or support. Their success demonstrates leadership, vision, and execution capacity that rivals or exceeds what many older politicians show.
Business leadership also builds wealth and networks that can later translate into political power if desired. Several successful entrepreneurs have transitioned into politics, bringing private sector efficiency mindsets to governance.
Exploring freelancing and remote work opportunities allows young Nigerians to build independent careers while maintaining flexibility for civic engagement.
Social Enterprise and NGO Leadership
Numerous young Nigerians lead non-profit organizations addressing education, healthcare, poverty, environmental issues, and human rights. These organizations often deliver services government fails to provide and advocate for policy changes.
NGO leaders develop skills in fundraising, stakeholder management, program implementation, and impact measurement. They work with communities, government agencies, and international partners, building experience valuable in any leadership role.
Media and Content Creation
Young journalists, bloggers, podcasters, and content creators shape public discourse, hold power accountable, and inform citizens. Media leadership influences how Nigerians understand issues, perceive leaders, and engage civically.
The rise of digital media has democratized information distribution. Young creators no longer need traditional media gatekeepers to reach audiences and influence conversations. This shift empowers youth voices in unprecedented ways.
Learning how to monetize digital platforms helps young content creators sustain their work while maintaining editorial independence.
Professional and Academic Excellence
Young Nigerians leading in medicine, law, engineering, academia, and other professions contribute significantly to national development. Their expertise solves problems, trains the next generation, and positions Nigeria competitively globally.
Professional leadership may seem apolitical, but doctors, lawyers, engineers, and professors often influence policy through professional associations, expert committees, and public commentary. Their credibility lends weight to reform advocacy.
Community Organizing and Grassroots Activism
Many young Nigerians lead community improvement initiatives, environmental cleanups, skill acquisition programs, and neighborhood safety efforts. These grassroots leaders build social capital, develop organizing skills, and create tangible change without formal authority.
Community leadership often serves as training ground for political careers. Successful community organizers understand constituent needs, mobilize people effectively, and deliver results, all essential political skills.
What Needs to Change Systemically
Individual youth ambition isn't enough. Structural changes are necessary to enable genuine youth participation in leadership.
Electoral and Party Reforms
Reducing the cost of politics through campaign finance regulations, public funding for campaigns, and stricter spending limits would level the playing field. When money determines winners, youths without wealth remain excluded.
Political parties need internal democracy reforms requiring transparent primaries, limiting nomination fees, and ensuring youth representation in party structures. Party constitutions should mandate youth quotas at all leadership levels.
Age Limits and Affirmative Action
Some advocate lowering age requirements for elected offices or creating reserved seats for youth candidates. While controversial, affirmative action policies have successfully increased women and minority representation globally.
Age limits for certain offices could also help. If we have minimum ages, why not maximum ages? Mandatory retirement ages exist in many professions; perhaps political offices should have them too, ensuring regular leadership renewal.
Civic Education and Political Awareness
Many young Nigerians don't understand how government works, their rights as citizens, or how to participate effectively. Comprehensive civic education in schools and communities would empower more youths to engage politically.
Digital platforms can democratize political education, teaching young people about voter registration, candidate evaluation, policy analysis, and grassroots organizing. Knowledge is power, and politically educated youths are harder to manipulate.
Economic Empowerment
Addressing youth unemployment and poverty is crucial. Young people struggling to survive can't afford political participation. Economic policies creating jobs, supporting entrepreneurship, and providing social safety nets would free more youths to engage civically.
Understanding Nigeria's economic realities helps young leaders develop informed policy positions on employment, inflation, and development challenges.
Security and Rule of Law
Reducing political violence through stronger law enforcement, prosecuting electoral offenders, and protecting candidates from intimidation would make politics safer for youths. When violence goes unpunished, it discourages new entrants.
Independent electoral bodies with genuine autonomy to conduct free and fair elections are essential. When electoral fraud is normalized, merit and popularity become irrelevant, and money and violence determine winners.
Practical Steps for Aspiring Young Leaders
While we push for systemic change, young Nigerians can take concrete steps now to prepare for and pursue leadership opportunities.
Start Where You Are
Leadership doesn't require official titles. Lead in your community, workplace, campus, or social circles. Organize projects, solve problems, mobilize people. These experiences build skills and credibility you'll need later.
Join community development associations, professional groups, alumni networks, or youth organizations. Active participation in these spaces develops your voice, expands your network, and creates opportunities to demonstrate leadership capacity.
Build Your Capacity
Invest in learning about governance, policy, economics, and social issues. Read widely, attend workshops, take online courses. Understand how systems work and what evidence-based solutions look like.
Develop communication skills. Leaders must articulate visions, persuade stakeholders, and inspire followership. Practice public speaking, writing, and digital communication. Your ideas matter only if you can communicate them effectively.
Cultivate emotional intelligence and empathy. Understanding diverse perspectives, managing conflicts, and building coalitions are essential leadership skills often overlooked in favor of technical knowledge.
Mental clarity matters tremendously in leadership. Practice mindful living techniques to maintain focus and emotional balance amid pressures.
Build Strategic Networks
Connect with other young leaders across sectors. Collaboration multiplies impact. Networks provide support, resources, and opportunities you can't access alone.
Don't limit networking to peers. Build relationships with older mentors, subject matter experts, and experienced leaders willing to guide you. Learn from their successes and failures.
Engage respectfully with existing power structures while maintaining your independence. You need to understand the system to change it, which sometimes requires working within it strategically.
Document Your Impact
Keep records of projects you've led, problems you've solved, and communities you've served. When you eventually run for office or seek leadership positions, evidence of past impact strengthens your credibility.
Use social media and digital platforms to showcase your work, share your ideas, and build your public profile. Digital presence matters in modern leadership, helping you reach and mobilize supporters efficiently.
Choose Your Battles Wisely
You can't fight every injustice or join every cause. Focus your energy on issues you're passionate about and where you can make real differences. Depth of impact matters more than breadth of involvement.
Know when to compromise and when to stand firm. Politics requires pragmatism, but core values shouldn't be negotiable. Defining your non-negotiables early helps you navigate difficult decisions later.
Learning how to set boundaries without guilt protects your mental health and allows sustainable engagement in demanding leadership roles.
Stay Financially Independent
Build income sources that don't depend on political patronage. Financial independence gives you freedom to make principled decisions without fear of economic consequences.
Avoid the trap of becoming a political jobber, supporting any candidate who pays rather than building genuine leadership capacity. Short-term gains from political jobbing often undermine long-term leadership prospects.
If you must engage in politics without personal wealth, be transparent about your funding sources. Crowdfunding from supporters is more legitimate than secret deals with shady sponsors.
Consider real estate investing or other wealth-building strategies that create financial cush```html ion for future political ambitions.
Prioritize Personal Integrity
Your reputation is your currency. In an environment where corruption is normalized, personal integrity becomes a differentiating factor. People are hungry for leaders they can trust.
Be honest about your capabilities and limitations. Overpromising and underdelivering destroys credibility faster than almost anything else. It's better to promise little and deliver much than the reverse.
When you make mistakes, own them publicly and learn from them. Accountability builds trust. Nigerians are tired of leaders who never admit fault or take responsibility for failures.
Remember that not everyone who smiles at you wishes you well. Discernment about people's true intentions protects you from exploitation and betrayal in political spaces.
A Personal Word: The Leadership We Need
Let me be completely honest with you. When I started Daily Reality NG years ago, I didn't think of myself as a leader. I was just someone frustrated with misinformation and eager to share what I was learning about building online businesses and navigating Nigerian realities.
Over time, I realized leadership isn't always about holding office or having formal authority. It's about taking responsibility, serving others, and creating value consistently. Every article I write, every person I help start a business, every honest conversation I have with readers is an act of leadership.
You don't need permission to lead. You don't need to wait until you're fifty or wealthy or politically connected. You can lead right now, right where you are, with what you have.
Nigerian youths aren't just the leaders of tomorrow. We're leaders today in our families, workplaces, communities, and online spaces. The question isn't whether we can lead but whether we'll lead with integrity, competence, and genuine concern for others.
The older generation won't voluntarily hand over power. Why would they? We must build our own power through organization, economic strength, knowledge, networks, and demonstrated competence. We must prove we deserve leadership not through age but through impact.
And when we finally break through into formal political power, we must resist becoming what we fought against. The greatest danger isn't failure to win elections but winning and then perpetuating the same corruption, nepotism, and incompetence we criticized.
Nigeria needs leaders who see public office as service, not opportunity for enrichment. Leaders who prioritize long-term development over short-term gains. Leaders who govern with data, empathy, and accountability rather than sentiment and impunity.
Are Nigerian youths ready to be those leaders? Some of us are. Many more can be with proper preparation, support, and opportunities. The future isn't guaranteed to be better than the past, but it can be if we commit to making it so.
Maintaining physical and mental wellness sustains your leadership journey. Explore affordable self-care practices that keep you healthy without breaking the bank.
Stay With Me on This Journey
The conversation about youth leadership in Nigeria is ongoing, evolving, and deeply personal for millions of young people trying to figure out their place in this country's future.
Daily Reality NG exists to be part of that conversation, not as a lecturer but as a fellow traveler. I don't have all the answers. I'm learning, growing, and questioning just like you. But I'm committed to exploring these issues honestly, sharing what I discover, and building a community of young Nigerians who refuse to accept mediocrity as inevitable.
Leadership development isn't a one-time event. It's a lifelong journey of learning, failing, adjusting, and trying again. Whether you aspire to political office, business leadership, professional excellence, or community impact, this space is for you.
We'll continue examining governance issues, economic policies, personal development strategies, and the realities shaping young Nigerians' lives. We'll celebrate successes, analyze failures, and always ask how we can do better collectively.
Bookmark this site. Subscribe to our newsletter. Engage with the content. Share articles with friends who need them. And most importantly, take action in your own sphere of influence. Leadership starts with decision, not permission.
Technology is changing how we connect and organize. Understanding how to leverage digital tools amplifies your leadership impact and reach.
We're also working to bridge the digital divide so more young Nigerians can access information and opportunities regardless of location or economic status.
Together, we can build the Nigeria we want to see. Not through magic or shortcuts, but through consistent effort, strategic thinking, and refusing to give up despite obstacles. The future truly is in focus when we focus on it deliberately.
Key Takeaways
Youth Exclusion Is Systemic: Financial barriers, godfather politics, violence, and lack of internal party democracy systematically exclude young Nigerians from formal political leadership despite constituting the majority of the population.
Alternative Leadership Paths Exist: Political office isn't the only way to lead. Entrepreneurship, social enterprise, media, professional excellence, and community organizing all offer platforms for youth leadership and societal impact.
Some Are Breaking Through: Despite barriers, young Nigerians are winning elections, leading organizations, building businesses, and influencing policy. Their success proves youth leadership is possible when strategy meets opportunity.
Systemic Change Is Necessary: Individual ambition alone won't solve the problem. Electoral reforms, party democracy, campaign finance regulations, and economic empowerment policies are needed to enable genuine youth participation.
Start Leading Now: You don't need formal authority to lead. Begin where you are by solving problems, organizing people, building skills, and creating value. Leadership is demonstrated through impact, not titles.
Integrity Matters Most: In a system plagued by corruption, personal integrity becomes your greatest asset. Build reputation, maintain transparency, and prioritize long-term credibility over short-term gains.
The Future Depends on Present Actions: Nigerian youths won't automatically inherit better leadership. We must prepare, organize, build capacity, and actively create the future we want rather than passively waiting for change.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Nigerian youths really succeed in politics given current barriers?
Yes, but success requires strategic navigation of existing systems while working toward reform. Young candidates need strong grassroots support, financial resourcefulness through crowdfunding or angel sponsors, clear policy positions that resonate with constituents, and willingness to build coalitions even with older politicians when strategically necessary. Success stories exist across states proving that youth candidacy is challenging but not impossible. The key is combining idealism with pragmatism.
What's the minimum age to run for political office in Nigeria?
The Nigerian Constitution sets minimum ages: 40 years for President and Vice President, 35 for Governor and Deputy Governor, 30 for Senate, and 25 for House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly. These age requirements eliminate many young Nigerians from federal and state executive positions entirely, though some argue for constitutional amendments to lower these thresholds and enable broader youth participation.
How can young people get involved in politics without money?
Start with volunteer work for candidates or causes you believe in to build experience and networks. Join political party youth wings despite their limitations to understand internal structures. Focus on local government or ward-level positions with lower financial barriers. Build public profile through community service, social media advocacy, or civic organizations. Consider running for party positions rather than electoral office initially. Crowdfunding from supporters is increasingly viable for candidates with genuine grassroots appeal.
Is it better to work within existing political parties or start new movements?
Both approaches have merits and challenges. Working within established parties provides existing infrastructure, name recognition, and electoral machinery but requires navigating entrenched interests and compromising with party elites. Starting new movements allows ideological purity and fresh approaches but faces enormous barriers in voter mobilization, funding, and overcoming the dominance of major parties. Most successful young politicians blend both strategies: building bases within existing parties while maintaining independent support networks that give them leverage.
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Author: Samson Ese
Samson Ese is the founder of Daily Reality NG, a platform dedicated to empowering everyday Nigerians with practical insights on leadership, business, and personal development. Since 2016, he has helped over 4,000 readers start online businesses and currently reaches 800,000+ monthly visitors across Africa. Connect with Samson on LinkedIn.
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