How Young Voters Can Shake Up Nigeria’s Next Election 

Saturday’s election in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has sparked unprecedented interest among young people tired of being ruled by an old guard who’ve done little to improve their living standards or chances of getting a job. That has given a fringe-party candidate, running against two long-familiar politicians in their 70s, a real shot at the presidency for the first time. All three have promised to right the ship, but it won’t be easy. President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in power have been blighted by economic decay, soaring unemployment, heightened insecurity and an exodus of the educated elite — topped this year by a painfully botched currency conversion and gasoline shortages.

While Nigeria’s fortunes have slipped in recent years, it is still Africa’s biggest economy and oil producer, and a major regional power broker. Its population of over 200 million is set to more than double by 2050, which would make it the world’s third-most populous nation. Previous presidential elections held in Nigeria since it returned to democracy in 1999 have been dominated by candidates from the ruling All Progressive Congress and the rival People’s Democratic Party. But the shift in voting demographics is shaking up the status quo, with Peter Obi, an ex-governor of Anambra state and candidate of the Labour Party, galvanizing support among youth and taking an early lead in surveys. About 40% of the 93.5 million registered voters are younger than 35. In the US, that figure is about 25%.