YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE PROMOTION OF POLITICAL ACTIVISM IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF 2024 BAD GOVERNANCE PROTEST

This study examines the relationship between youth unemployment and political activism in Nigeria, with particular attention to the 2024 "Bad Government" protest. Youth unemployment has emerged as a pressing socio-economic challenge, driving political agitation and expressions of discontent among Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population. The primary objective of this research is to analyze how socio-economic marginalization, especially joblessness, fuels youth-led political movements and protests. Specifically, the study investigates the root causes of youth unemployment, its role in shaping political consciousness, and the implications for national governance and democratic stability. Using a qualitative case study methodology, the research draws on secondary data sources—including academic literature, government reports, media archives, and social media—to conduct a thematic analysis of the 2024 protest. The study is anchored in Relative Deprivation Theory, which explains how perceived inequalities and unmet expectations among youths can lead to frustration, mobilization, and collective action. Key findings reveal that rising unemployment rates, lack of economic opportunities, systemic corruption, and ineffective governance are primary catalysts for youth activism in Nigeria. The 2024 protest was not an isolated incident but a culmination of growing socio-political dissatisfaction, especially among underemployed urban youth. The protest's organization via digital platforms showcased how social media amplifies youth voices and enables large-scale mobilization. Additionally, the study highlights a disconnect between government responses and the grievances of the youth, often marked by repression rather than reform. The findings further emphasize the risk of democratic erosion when youth are consistently marginalized from economic and political participation. In light of these insights, the study recommends comprehensive policy interventions focused on youth empowerment, including vocational training, entrepreneurship funding, civic education, and inclusive governance frameworks. It also urges the Nigerian government to ensure the protection of the right to peaceful protest and to engage in transparent dialogue with youth movements.