Why Over 60 Million Young Nigerians Stayed Away From the Polls

Nigeria’s youth once shut down Lagos with mass protests. Yet in the 2023 election, more than 60 million citizens aged 18–35 largely failed to vote. Three barriers drove them away: the high cost of participation, collapsed political trust after years of rigged polls, and the lack of recruitment networks to encourage formal engagement. Lowering filing fees and registration costs, building youth wings and local mobilisation networks, and holding elected officials accountable can rebuild trust and change the dynamic. Sixty million young Nigerians are ready to participate. What’s needed is an invitation that makes voting affordable, meaningful, and safe.

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