Sustainable and impact driven governance in Nigeria have proven elusive. Even as times and situations have changed, successive governments have looked more and more ineffective, even as the population has also expanded. The older generation has failed — amid all these, the Gen Z are quietly but powerfully taking charge of the narratives. These technologically and socially aware generation are gradually becoming real change makers and not just digital influencers. From activism to voting in the general elections, Gen Zs are gradually shaking the foundation of the Nigerian political systems — with purpose and intention.
Why do Gen Z’s Influence Really Matters Now?
Unlike the previous generation — from the traditionalists / Silent Generation to even the Millennials / Generation Y, that are constantly told to wait for their turn. Well, the Nigerian Gen Z are not willing to wait to be invited to the table, they are instead inviting themselves by building new tables together — with a ruthless desire for impact, which can be driven with data insights the Gen Z have already loudly made the point in the 2023 election that real change in the political scene can also be driven from the street of Lagos to the different state capitals, online platforms and very importantly with the ballot box.
It should be noted that Gen Z realized how unignorable their collective power and voice was during the 2020 #EndSARS protests and thus became a wake-up call for not just the government but also the youth, and became a talking point for governance leading the 20203 general elections. Gen Z still believes that more needs to be done to guarantee transparency and accountability.
Why are the Gen Z Generation Different?
Fully Aware of the Realities, but Tech First
Gen Zs are actually very much aware of the issues, but they integrate the power of digital platforms like Twitter (now X), TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook to power their activism — using them not just for entertainment.
Strong willed and Cared for Impact and Sustainability
Anxiety about the future, that is “the day after” has become another source of motivation for this generation of young people. From clamoring for climate justice, police reform to education equity, they are going beyond politics to sustainable development. They believe that the right government will prioritize tomorrow as much as today.
Lack of Trust
There has been a huge gap in the trust level for most, if not all, the traditional institutions. Gen Z seeks to bypass the bureaucratic processes, that entrenches corruption and delays — they instead want to fact-check and peer-lead to hold governments accountable.
Young Nigerians participating in a grassroots voter education workshop. Source: Yiaga Africa
To Rewrite the Rules of One Vote at a Time
There are still significant voter empathy in Nigeria especially amount the age groups, but recent elections especially the 2023 general election shows an increase in the number of youth turnout, and the Gen Z voter were not left out either. This goes to show that with proper engagement the Gen Z generation will definably show up. Organizations like Yiaga Africa have been instrumental in mobilizing the youth.
Turnout among first-time voters spiked in urban areas such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Source: SBM Intelligence (Read more)
Governance and Impact.
It is usually not enough to elect leaders. For Gen Z, they want to measure impact and progression — and they are using different platforms like media scorecards, budget monitoring and legislative tracking tools to hold these leaders to account in real time. Example: the Budgit foundation is youth run organization that monitors government spending.
As Gen Z uses these different means to monitor the impact of governance, it directly or indirectly puts pressure on public servant to perform and go beyond promises to measurable outcomes. Be it on health care, job creation and education, the Gen Z generation are monitoring for sustainability and impact.
The Challenges
There are bound to be challenges on the way, poverty — making even the Gen Z to look the other way, used as instrument for misinformation and distraction, economic instability and even security threats are some of the very obvious challenges Gen Z will be confronted with. However, knowing how determined this generation is, they have the capacity and resilience to adapt and work around it. They are redefining what civil engagements should look like in Nigeria.
Why this is Important for the Future of Nigeria Matters
Governance must change in Nigeria if she want to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and equal society— Gen Z are already in the forefront of this movement applying pressure at different point and engaging at different levels and demanding a working system of governance that is driven by technology, transparent with measurable impact.
As Gen Z champions sustainability and impact driven movements, they are not just rethinking the rules, but building a foundation that will accommodate transparency, equity and a collectively building the future.
My Final Thought
If we can empower, collaborate and listen to the Gen Z generation, Nigerians will be building the road map to a sustainable and impactful future where governance will be for the betterment of all. Truly, the now is Gen Z and no more the future.
