YOUTH AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA: A FOCUS ON 2015- 2023 GENERAL ELECTION.

This study examines youth political participation in Nigeria, focusing on the period from 2015 to 2023. The background highlights the crucial role of youth in democratic processes and the challenges they face. The statement of the problem underscores the need to understand factors affecting youth engagement and the effectiveness of legislative reforms and digital media in shaping political involvement. It reviews existing literature on youth political participation, emphasizing theories such as Structural Functionalism and Political Socialization. Structural Functionalism explains how societal institutions contribute to maintaining political stability, while Political Socialization explores how individuals develop political attitudes and behaviors. Both theories provide a framework for understanding the dynamics of youth involvement in politics. The study methodology, adopts a mixed-methods approach with quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. The sample comprised 348 respondents, selected to provide a comprehensive view of youth political engagement. The findings, reveals a significant increase in youth political participation influenced by the "Not Too Young To Run" Act and digital media. The data indicate that while legislative reforms and social media have positively impacted youth involvement, challenges such as electoral violence and misinformation persist. Finally, the research, emphasizes on the positive effects of legislative reforms and digital media on youth participation, despite existing obstacles. It concludes with recommendations to enhance youth engagement, including strengthening legislative monitoring, improving digital literacy, and addressing socio-economic barriers. This study contributes to the understanding of youth political dynamics in Nigeria, providing actionable insights for policymakers and activists.