YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

Enhancing opportunities for young people to participate in politics and governance has(IPU) and the United Nations seeking to collect data and develop strategies to elect a participation in politics and governance in Nigeria and the challenges which confronts the youths which hinders them from taking full participation in Governance. The study employed survey research method to collect data from 341 citizens of Akwa Ibom Statein six (6) local government areas. The instrument for data gathering was a structured questionnaire designed in line with the objective of the study. This research adopts theelite theory, in Nigeria, political powers can be viewed from the perspective of those who have occupied one political offices or the other, especially retired military and other public officials such as top civil servant, past ministers and these are the group that havebeen circulating themselves in Governance since the country independence in 1960. Findings from the data collected revels that there is low participation of youths in politicsand governance in Nigeria because of the non-inclusive on youth in political process, alsothat youth participation in politics and governance in Nigeria is confronted by myriad of challenges such as unemployment, godfatherism, money politics etc. Another finding revolves that the Not Too Young To Run Law would make a positive impact on the levelof youth participation if implemented. The study recommended among others, that efforts should be made to increase the level of participation on the youths in politics, Government at every level should curtail the influence of money, also Not Too Young To Run Law should be enforced as its purpose is to address age discrimination in candidacy for the legislative and executive branches.