Over half of Nigerian uni students unregistered to vote, citing distrust in electoral transparency
Over half of Nigerian university students (52.1%) are not registered to vote, with 59% of 18-21 year-olds lacking PVCs, according to a Campus Reporter survey of 222 students across 34 institutions. The primary reason cited is distrust in the electoral system's transparency, with 31% saying greater transparency would encourage them to vote. Other barriers include complex registration processes, limited youth representation in politics, and concerns about election violence.
This matters because young Nigerians aged 18-34 constitute nearly 40% of eligible voters, making their participation crucial for reversing Nigeria's declining turnout trend—which fell from 53.7% in 2011 to a record low 27% in 2023. Students like Emmanuella Balogun of KWASU and Glory Eze express that voting feels futile when votes don't translate to change or when voters face insecurity at polls.
The survey suggests rebuilding trust requires more than registration drives: INEC should ensure real-time result updates, simplify registration, and increase youth political inclusion. Civil society groups recommend immersive civic education programs that let youths engage with governance processes. Will greater transparency and easier access motivate you to register and vote in upcoming elections, or do deeper systemic reforms need to come first?