The Role of Youths in Engendering Good Governance in Nigeria’s Digital Democracy
Keywords:
Youth, Good Governance, Digital Democracy, NigeriaAbstract
Nigeria is a country that pays little or no attention to the plight of its youths. From incessant strikes in the universities to the lack of adequate learning infrastructures, high rate of unemployment and poor policy decisions, notwithstanding government social security systems for the youths. This has led many of such youths to acts that are morally wrong and violent. First there was an outbreak of internet fraud called “yahoo yahoo”, to the taking up of arms by the Niger Delta militants and the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast. These sad experiences led to the emergence of many youth advocacy groups in Nigeria, especially during the last election in order to improve the lot of the Nigerian youths. However, youths must understand that advocacy is not enough to help propagate the plight of the Nigerian youth; there must also be a certain level of participation of Nigerian youths in governance. In today’s interconnected world, the youths can leverage on ICT platforms in enhancing Nigeria’s democratic values by facilitating social interactions as well as civic and political participation.
References
1. J. Richardson, ‘eDemocracy: An Emerging Force for Change,’ <https://ssir.org/articles/entry/edemocrac y_an_emerging_force_for_change> accessed 9th December 2018.
2. A. Onibokun, ‘Role of Youths in Nigerian Democracy.’ accessed 9 th December 2018.
3. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
4. Richardson, op cit.
5. C. E. Uzochukwu, New Media and Youth’s Online Civic Engagement in Nigerian Politics: Potentials And Challenges, European Scientific Journal , 2014, Vol.10, No.19.
6. D. Mbachu, ‘Nigeria’s Population at 182 Million, with Widening Youth Bulge’, <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/article s/2016-11-08/nigerian-population-hits- 182-million-with-widening-youth-bulge> accessed on 16th January, 2019.
7. S. N. Asek, ‘The Role of Youth in Constructing Democracy in a Transitional Polity,’ <https://www.tigweb.org/youth - media/panorama/article.html?ContentID= 7919> accessed 9th December 2018.
8. S. Meetika, ‘Good Governance – Concept, Meaning and Features: A Detailed Study’, <https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm? abstract_id=1528449> accessed on 20/04/19 Cite this Article Umar Abubakar Dubagari . The Role of Youths in Engendering Good Governance in Nigeria’s Digital Democracy . National 38–42p.
