Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Wisdom, has issued a sharp call to Nigerian youths, urging them to stop depending on politicians for money and instead focus on offering value, ideas, and skills that can help develop the country. Speaking on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Abuja during the Forum of National Youth Leaders of All Political Parties in Nigeria, themed “The Place of Nigerian Youths in the Political Discussions of 2027 and Beyond,” the minister expressed concern that many young people only engage in politics for financial gains rather than contributing meaningful ideas to governance and national development.
Ayodele argued that the dependency culture among youths has made them vulnerable to manipulation by politicians who use them as thugs, vote buyers, or mere followers during election cycles. He stressed that youths possess the energy, creativity, and digital literacy to drive change, but these assets are wasted when they reduce their participation to seeking handouts. “You must stop seeing politics as a platform to get rich quick. If you have a skill, an idea, a solution to a problem, offer it. That is the currency that will secure your future, not the few naira politicians throw at you during rallies,” the minister said.
He called on youth leaders across political parties to reorient their followers and begin a movement that prioritises competence, integrity, and service over personal enrichment. According to Ayodele, the 2027 elections present a unique opportunity for young Nigerians to demand accountability and to present themselves as candidates not because they have connections but because they have solutions. “We have young people who are innovators, agriculturists, tech experts, entrepreneurs. These are the ones we should be supporting for political offices, not those who only know how to collect money and vanish after elections,” he added.
The minister also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and political parties to reduce the financial barriers that discourage qualified youths from contesting elections. He promised to work with the National Assembly to advocate for legislation that caps nomination fees and provides incentives for youth participation in politics. “If we truly want a youth‑inclusive government, we must make the process affordable. A young person with a brilliant manifesto should not be shut out because he cannot afford a ₦50 million nomination form,” Ayodele said.
Reacting to the minister’s speech, the National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a participant at the forum, praised the call but noted that systemic change is needed to break the culture of dependency. “What the minister said is correct, but the system is rigged against young people who want to play by the rules. Parties sell forms at exorbitant rates, and the only youths who get tickets are those sponsored by godfathers. The minister should also speak to the party chairmen,” he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader, another attendee, expressed support for the minister’s position but argued that youths themselves must first reject monetary inducements during primaries. “If every young person refuses to collect money from aspirants during party primaries, the godfathers will have no choice but to respect our votes. The change must start with us,” he said.
The forum concluded with a communique that committed all political parties to train youth leaders in issue‑based politics, to discourage vote buying, and to ensure that young people play active roles in drafting party manifestos ahead of 2027. The Minister of Youth Development promised to follow up with a quarterly meeting of youth leaders to assess progress.
Political analysts note that Ayodele’s message comes at a critical time when Nigeria’s youth population continues to grow, yet their representation in elective offices remains abysmally low. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population is under 30, but less than 10 percent of elective positions are held by people in that age bracket. The minister’s call for value‑based engagement may be a long‑term solution, but the immediate challenge remains the entrenched culture of monetary politics.
As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, the minister’s words will be tested. If young people heed his advice and begin to offer value rather than demand handouts, the political landscape could see a significant shift. If not, the cycle of dependency and manipulation may continue for another generation.
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