THE IMPACT OF CIVIC EDUCATION ON AWARENESS AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE YOUTHS

This study investigated The Impact of Civic Education on Awareness and Political Participation Among Undergraduate Youths, using students of University of Delta, Agbor as a case study. The purpose of the study was to examine how exposure to civic education influences youth’s political awareness, participation and engagement, especially in democratic processes. The research adopted a descriptive survey design and utilized quantitative data collection method. A sample of 400 respondents was selected across eight faculties using a purposive sampling. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages. Findings revealed that civic education significantly enhances political awareness among undergraduate youths. It helps them understand their rights, responsibilities, government structures, and current political events. The study also showed that exposure to civic education increases likelihood of political participation such as voting, attending political discussions, and participating in campaigns. Furthermore, the integration of social media with civic education was found to be highly influential in shaping political knowledge and behaviors. Based on the findings, the study recommends that civic education should be strengthened in tertiary institutions and integrated into both formal curriculum and digital platforms to reach a broader audience. This will promote responsible citizenship and active political engagement among undergraduate youths