A young Nigerian woman in professional attire looking determined, with a blurred background of a political rally or government building, symbolizing her aspiration to enter politics despite barriers.
In Nigeria, where women make up nearly half of the population and young people under 35 account for about 70%, the political landscape tells a starkly different story: fewer than 6% of elective positions are held by women, and young people hold less than 5% of political offices. After the 2023 elections, only 3 women were elected to the Senate and 14 to the House of Representatives. This isn’t a story of apathy—young Nigerian women are eager to lead, but they face a system rigged against them.
The barriers are not just cultural; they are structural. Political parties, dominated by older men, control nomination processes that are opaque, expensive, and often violent. The ‘godfather’ system, where wealthy patrons decide who runs, leaves little room for young women. Despite legal reforms like the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Act, the promise of youth inclusion remains unfulfilled. This article explores why young women are locked out and what it would take to open the doors.
The Promise of Democracy, the Reality of Exclusion
Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999 was supposed to usher in an era of inclusive governance. Instead, women’s political representation has stagnated or declined. In 2023, Nigeria ranked 181st out of 193 countries in women’s parliamentary representation. The National Gender Policy’s 35% affirmative action quota remains a paper promise, never legally enforced. For young women, the double barrier of age and gender makes the climb even steeper.
Take the case of Amina, a 28-year-old aspiring politician from Kano who wanted to run for a state assembly seat. She was told by party elders that she was ‘too young’ and ‘inexperienced,’ and that politics was ‘not for women.’ When she insisted, she was asked to pay ₦10 million for a nomination form—a sum far beyond her reach. Her story is not unique; it reflects a systemic pattern.
The Godfather System: Where Power and Money Meet
At the heart of Nigeria’s political exclusion is the ‘godfather’ system. These are wealthy, influential men—almost exclusively older—who fund campaigns and control party structures. They decide who gets nominated, who gets funding, and who gets support. Young women, lacking decades of accumulated wealth and connections, are shut out of these patronage networks.
Nomination forms for major offices are prohibitively expensive: presidential forms range from ₦30-100 million, governorship forms ₦10-50 million, and House of Representatives forms ₦5-10 million. But the real costs go beyond official fees. Candidates must ‘settle’ delegates, pay for vote-buying, and navigate informal ‘zoning’ arrangements that restrict which constituencies can produce candidates—often excluding young women.
The Cost of Running: More Than Money
Even if a young woman can scrape together the funds, she faces a gauntlet of intimidation and violence. Political violence is endemic in Nigeria, and women politicians report higher rates of psychological abuse, sexual harassment, and threats. During primaries, they are often intimidated at polling units and party meetings. In the 2023 elections, there were reports of women being attacked, their votes suppressed, and their campaigns disrupted.
Cultural norms add another layer. Politics is seen as a ‘man’s game,’ and women who enter are subjected to character assassination and accusations of immorality. Family pressure to marry and have children is often framed as incompatible with political life. Religious interpretations are sometimes used to justify exclusion.
The ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Act: A Hollow Victory?
The ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Act of 2018 lowered age requirements for political office—presidential candidates from 40 to 35, governorship from 35 to 30, and House of Representatives from 30 to 25. It was hailed as a victory for youth inclusion. Yet, it has not translated into meaningful representation. The law changed the rules on paper, but the party structures that control nominations remain unchanged.
Party leaders argue that experience and ‘political maturity’ matter. But this argument ignores the fact that many young women have proven leadership in civil society, activism, and community organizing. They are not inexperienced; they are simply excluded from the old boys’ network.
Pathways Forward: What Would Change the Game?
Despite the barriers, young Nigerian women are not giving up. Many are turning to alternative avenues: activism, civil society, social media advocacy, and community organizing. These platforms allow them to build visibility and influence, even if they are not in formal political office.
To truly open the doors, several changes are needed. First, political parties must democratize their nomination processes, making them transparent and affordable. Second, campaign finance laws must be enforced to cap spending and provide public funding for candidates. Third, the 35% affirmative action quota must be legally enforced. Fourth, cultural norms must be challenged through education and advocacy. Finally, violence against women in politics must be met with serious consequences.
Some countries have used reserved seats or quotas to boost women’s representation. Nigeria could learn from these examples. But ultimately, the change must come from within—from young women themselves, who are already organizing and demanding a seat at the table.
Young Nigerian women are ready to lead, but the political system is not ready for them. The barriers are not just about money or experience; they are about power. The godfathers who control the parties see young women as a threat to their dominance. Until the rules of the game change—making nominations transparent, funding accessible, and violence unacceptable—Nigeria will continue to waste the potential of half its population. The future of Nigerian democracy depends on whether it can include its young women.
Summary
- Women hold fewer than 6% of elective positions in Nigeria, and young people under 35 hold less than 5% of political offices.
- The ‘godfather’ system, controlled by older wealthy men, determines who gets nominated, excluding young women.
- Nomination forms and campaign costs are prohibitively expensive, with forms ranging from ₦5-100 million.
- Cultural norms, violence, and intimidation further discourage young women from entering politics.
- The ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Act lowered age limits but did not change party structures, leaving youth representation stagnant.
FAQ
Q: Why are young Nigerian women underrepresented in politics?
A: They face multiple barriers: opaque and expensive party nomination processes, the ‘godfather’ system that favors older men, cultural norms that view politics as a male domain, and high levels of violence and intimidation.
Q: What is the ‘godfather’ system in Nigerian politics?
A: It’s a system where wealthy, influential individuals (almost exclusively older men) fund campaigns and control party structures in exchange for political favors. They decide who gets nominated and supported, often excluding young women.
Q: How expensive is it to run for office in Nigeria?
A: Costs are prohibitive. Nomination forms alone can range from ₦5 million for a House of Representatives seat to ₦100 million for president. When factoring in bribes, delegate ‘settlement,’ and vote-buying, total costs can exceed ₦50 million for a state assembly seat.
Q: Did the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Act help young people?
A: The Act lowered age requirements for office, but it did not address the structural barriers within political parties. As a result, youth representation remains below 5%.
Q: What can be done to increase young women’s political participation?
A: Reforms include democratizing party nomination processes, enforcing campaign finance laws, legally implementing the 35% affirmative action quota, challenging cultural norms, and addressing violence against women in politics.