CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Good governance has been recognized as one of the countless obstacles facing Nigeria and various other Third World countries as they fight developmental issues. Good governance is connected with democracy. In Nigeria after two decades of democratic experience, the system of government has not produced much preferred good governance. This is due to the fact that democracy in Nigeria is practiced in such a way that responsible, proficient and the efficient youth population are not engaged in democratic governance in the nation. In Nigeria and other African nations, there is lack of trust of youth in governing institutions and political leadership, although that contemporary youth are well endowed with required contemporary technological know-how and abilities to make a difference. They are not allowed to make any impact in the conventional development and governance of the nation (Hilal, 2016). There are range of factors underpinning youth engagement in governance in Nigeria. For example, there is lack of high quality education for the youth at all levels, absence of scholarship opportunities, employment, security and absence of significant political representation and widespread corruption. These and other restrictions are the significant elements that make Nigerian youth develop apathy to governance in Nigeria (Nduku and Tenamwenye, 2014).
There is the general idea that the issue of governance, advancement problems and policy design is for professionals and youth do not have the expertise, skills and the drive for power. This understanding has alienated the youth from involvement in governance in Nigeria. Youths are frequently counted as a lost generation, marginalised, annoyed and suffered from decision making bodies and policy making organizations Mutto (2007). Although, youth population comprise over half of the county's population, successive governments since independence in 1960 have been disregarding them and silencing their voices. Political leaders and political institutions have failed to fulfil the fundamental needs and goals of the youth and this is really regrettable. There is no fixed quota for youth in governance and mainstream advancement unlike the women. These are the direct reasons for some youth's involvement in criminal activities such as terrorism, banditry, militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, cybercrime (Yahoo Yahoo) human and drug trafficking. (Marc, 2007). Engaging and taking part in decision making and governance is beginning to reshape the way youths in Africa are perceiving and exercising their citizenship.
In words of McGee and Green half (2011), if policies, strategies and budgets are to be relevant to youth, they likewise have to be informed by their realities, top priorities and point of views. Kofi Anan the Former Secretary General of the United Nations claims no one is born a great citizen; no country is born a democracy. Instead, both are processes that remain to evolve over a life time. Youths should be included from birth. A society that cuts itself off from its youth severs its lifeline; it is condemned to bleed to death. (Joah, 2013) in the light of enhancing youth Political Participation Report of UNDP, 2012 reported that the youths from 15 to 25 age group make up a fifth of world's population yet the actual realities are clear that they still continue to be underprivileged and having actually less opportunities and influence in political establishments (USAID, 2006). The constraints and barriers of youth engagement make it really clear that no democratic institutions can have claim to be legitimate and appropriate if youths are marginalized and excluded of democratic processes.
It should be mentioned that, no sustainable development and good governance can be accomplished without engaging the youth population many particularly in the new normal world where engagement and various other activities of governance are digitalised, this is due to the fact that the new world order advocated for innovativeness, pro activeness and adjustment to global changes. For that reason, every successful democratic governance needs the active involvement of youths at all levels of governance so as to make administration more steady, effective and efficient.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
There are a number of obstacles to youth participation in Nigeria development projects, including a lack of cooperation from other nation’s parental influence, inadequate government assistance at the grass roots level, and insufficient recognition of youths as a powerful labor force in the country.
According to (Joseph Francis & Hlekani Muchazotida Kabiti, 2019), youth do not truly have enough opportunity to get involved as agents of their reasonably broad success in community work. Roughly 70 percent of youths do not take part proactively in community activities at all levels, as youth involvement in community-based jobs stays low. This shows, on the one side, the absence of interest of youths in helping to develop. Nevertheless, there is a presumption that youths have inconsistent prospects of taking part in community activities. This proves that obstacles to youth participation in community development work are not well understood.
Lots of young people have an interest in the political process but are not elected to any type of public office, for that reason the idea of youth participation in governance has constantly gained interest because the role youths play in the development of society (Umar Lawal Yusuf & Mohammed Ali, 2014). Involvement in governance and community development is considered to be important however altering the political, cultural and economic realities have significantly affected the efficient involvement of youths.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The general objective of the study is to evaluate and investigate the political participation of youths in decision making as a panacea to good governance in Nigeria. However, the specific objectives include:
i) To understand the reasons for the provision of not too young to rule law before the 2019 general elections.
ii) To determine the influence of not too young to rule law on Nigeria’s youth in Nigeria politics in 2019 and 2023 general elections.
iii) To pinpoint the challenges to youth participation in Nigeria politics
iv) To find out the level of youth marginalization in political participation in Nigeria
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions will be adopted by this study:
i) To understand the reasons for the provision of not too young to rule law before the 2019 general elections?
ii) To determine the influence of not too young to rule law on Nigeria’s youth in Nigeria politics in 2019 and 2023 general elections?
iii) To pinpoint the challenges to youth participation in Nigeria politics?
iv) To find out the level of youth marginalization in political participation in Nigeria?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
For the purpose of this study; the following research hypotheses is hereby formulated in this study:
i) There is no significant relationship between not too young to rule law and the 2019 and 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
ii) There is no significant correlation between not too young to rule law and Nigeria’s youth in Nigeria politics in 2019 and 2023 general elections.
iii) There is a significant difference in the level of youth marginalization and political participation in Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of the Study
Every research study is aimed at critically looking at a project or work with the sole aim of benefiting the researcher, the reader or both. This work is significant because it will add to the body of existing literatures, journals, overtures and brochure that demonstrates the importance of the solution to most challenges of Nigeria politics and solution to help the youth towards the political system.
It serves as reference materials to students, scholars, and research analyst of Nigeria politics, who have the interest further on this topic. This research will also help to change the way people think about the status of Nigeria as the ‘giant of Africa’ which play a major role in continental, developmental operation, politically, economically, security wise, among others and bring careless of its national issues. Many Nigerians who are boastful of Nigerian philanthropic operations in African without considering its impact on the country and its political system will also find this as an eye opener. It will also change the mindset of some institution in the society on politics, most especially the family and religious groups. In summary:
- It will bring to limelight the position of the youth in Nigeria politics.
- It will give room for careful scrutiny of the problems facing the Nigeria youths in politics
- This work will enable the reader have in debt understanding of the percentage of youths in 2019 general election.
- It will assist other researchers to carry out further research on the subject matter.
1.7 Scope of the Study
The study centered on the political participation of youths in decision making as a panacea to good governance in Nigeria. However, for the purpose of simplicity and data gathering, the focus of this study was majorly on the 2019 and 2023 general elections in Nigeria. Therefore, the study area was Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
