The Unified Nigeria Youth Forum, UNYF, has identified high cost of nomination and expression-of-interest forms imposed by political parties as a major obstacle to youth participation in governance.
It accused political parties of creating structural and financial barriers that discourage youth involvement, calling for urgent reforms to institutionalize inclusiveness, promote internal democracy, and create space for emerging leaders across all levels of governance.
The Forum, in a communiqué issued at the end of its Patriotic Awakening Event and National Youth Convention held in Kaduna, with the theme ‘Nigeria the Way Forward: UNYF Setting the Pace in Nigerian Politics – The Emergence of a New Nigeria’, said political participation should be driven by competence and ideas, not by the depth of one’s pocket.
The communique, signed by the UNYF National President, Comrade Olajide Toriah Filani, lamented that the exorbitant cost of nomination forms had turned politics into a business venture reserved for the wealthy elite rather than a platform for service.
“Our democracy cannot grow when capable young Nigerians are financially excluded from contesting elective positions. Political participation should be driven by competence and ideas, not by the depth of one’s pocket,” the Forum stated.
It further noted that despite constituting over 60 percent of Nigeria’s population, youths remain underrepresented in decision-making processes due to economic hardship, political marginalization, and lack of mentorship.
The communique also identified poor leadership, corruption, and absence of national vision as the root causes of the country’s underdevelopment. It urged political actors to prioritize merit, competence, and character in leadership recruitment rather than relying on patronage or personal ambition.
While expressing concern over the incessant strikes in tertiary institutions, the Forum called on the Federal Government and academic unions to embrace genuine dialogue and invest more in research, innovation, and digital education to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills for the modern economy.
It equally decried Nigeria’s growing debt profile and over-reliance on borrowing, urging government at all levels to embrace fiscal discipline and promote productivity in agriculture, manufacturing, and technology-driven sectors.
The UNYF further resolved that protests in the Nigerian system have become counterproductive as they are often hijacked by miscreants, adding that the most effective protest in a democracy is expressed through active political participation and the ballot box.
“The New Nigeria we desire will not emerge by chance but through visionary leadership, unity, and responsible youth engagement. Our duty as young Nigerians is to rebuild the nation with integrity, discipline, and patriotism,” the communiqué added.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to national unity, peace, and progress, pledging continued collaboration with government institutions, civil society, and development partners to promote youth empowerment, accountability, and innovation-driven governance.
