The Role of Youths in Engendering Good Governance in Nigeria’s Digital Democracy

Abstract

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.