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| Simbiat Amzat participates in the co-creation session at the Young Political Leadership Co-Creation Lab, organised by the OMYV Alumni Network in Abuja, with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nigeria |
What does it take to move from criticising a system to becoming part of it? What happens when years of watching things go wrong lead you to step forward and try to change them yourself?
These were some of the questions I found myself thinking about as I listened to young political aspirants share their journeys at the Young Political Leadership Co-Creation Lab that took place in Abuja on Thursday, October 15, 2026.
Organised by the OMYV Alumni Network, with support from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Nigeria, the gathering brought together young aspirants, citizens, civil society practitioners and other stakeholders to reflect on political participation, leadership and accountability ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The conversations offered something beyond the usual discussions about young people and politics. They offered a glimpse into the personal experiences behind political ambition, the challenges of pursuing elective office, and the possibilities that emerge when aspiring leaders make room for other voices.
One story that stayed with me was Shedrack Danladi's, whose journey into politics grew out of years of activism and civil society engagement. After years of advocating for change, he began to recognise the influence political office holders have on the decisions that shape people’s lives. For him, the desire to make a difference eventually meant moving from advocating for change to seeking a position where he could help drive it. His ambition to contest a seat in the House of Representatives was also shaped by his upbringing and the opportunities his parents worked to provide. He wanted other children to have access to quality education, believing that a child given the right opportunities could become the solution a community was waiting for.
Listening to Shedrack, I reflected on how the desire to create change can take different forms. Sometimes, it means speaking up and holding institutions accountable. At other times, it means stepping into those institutions and trying to influence what happens within them.
But deciding to enter politics is only one part of the journey. Finding the resources and support to sustain that ambition can be another challenge entirely. Shedrack shared how five close friends encouraged him to consider contesting in the 2027 elections during a gathering. They had observed his commitment to his community in Kaura and believed he could make a difference. Their encouragement soon turned into practical support, as the friends set up a private fundraising arrangement and contributed to his political ambitions. He also spoke about the role of mentors, mentees, personal savings, and social media in his journey.
His story reminded us that political participation is often sustained by people who believe in us, especially when financial resources are limited. At the same time, he acknowledged that passion alone cannot carry a campaign. Preparation, financial planning, and dependable support networks matter too.
For Miriam Ohuoba, the motivation to seek political office came from the problems she had witnessed in her community. She spoke about children learning under leaking roofs, women struggling to access adequate maternal healthcare, and farmers struggling to transport their produce because of poor roads.
These experiences helped shape her decision to contest. Yet her journey also exposed the financial barriers that can stand between an aspiring politician and the opportunity to participate. Her story stayed with me because it connected political representation to the realities people experience every day. The issues that bring someone into politics often determine whether people feel seen, heard, and adequately served by those in leadership. Her experience also raised questions about the additional barriers women face when seeking elective office and whose voices get the opportunity to shape public decisions.
Umar Ahmed, who is contesting the Danja State Constituency seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly, brought another perspective through his concern for Almajiri children. His efforts to draw attention to their circumstances and create opportunities for greater self-reliance reflected a desire to address a problem he considered deeply important to his community. His journey involved engaging political leaders and seeking support for the issues he cared about before eventually pursuing elective office. What stood out in his story was the link between personal conviction and public service: moving from concern about a problem to finding ways to address it.
Together, their stories revealed the different paths young Nigerians are taking towards political leadership and the challenges that can arise when ambition meets the realities of party politics and election campaigns.
Across these conversations, the one issue that kept coming up was the cost of politics. Nomination fees, campaign expenses, and the need to build a network of supporters can become significant barriers, especially for young people with limited financial resources. Their experiences made the conversation about youth participation more tangible, moving it beyond encouragement and towards the practical conditions that determine who can participate.
However, the most interesting part of the day for me came when the conversations moved from sharing experiences to working through possible solutions. Participants were divided into three groups for the Co-Creation Lab, with the aspirants joining the discussions. I was in the group with David Oluwasegun Oroge, a House of Representatives aspirant for Abuja South. We shared ideas on how candidates could strengthen their campaigns, communicate their priorities, and connect more effectively with the people they hoped to represent.
Our discussion covered campaign messaging, the language candidates use, their presentation and appearance, the people they engage, campaign jingles, advertisements, and social media. We also considered the importance of reaching people beyond online platforms and thinking carefully about how campaign messages could connect with different communities. What I appreciated the most was that participants could contribute directly to the conversation. The aspirants listened, took notes, and received recommendations they could consider as they prepared for their campaigns.
It felt different from conversations where young people are simply encouraged to vote or support candidates. Here, we were invited to share our perspectives and contribute ideas that could help aspiring leaders think more deliberately about how they communicate and engage with citizens. That exchange captured the spirit of co-creation. Citizens have experiences and insights that can help aspirants understand their communities more clearly, while aspiring leaders have a responsibility to listen and consider the perspectives of the people they hope to serve.
Of course, the real value of these conversations lies in what happens afterwards. Recommendations become meaningful when candidates reflect on them and let the feedback shape their decisions. Still, creating a space where citizens and aspirants can think through these questions together is a valuable step towards more participatory politics.
By the end of the gathering, I found myself thinking less about political ambition as an individual pursuit and more about the relationships that make meaningful leadership possible. The stories we heard showed how personal experiences can inspire people to seek office, while the group discussions demonstrated how others can help them think through the journey.
The experience also reinforced the importance of looking beyond election day. Democratic participation involves more than casting a ballot. It includes asking questions, engaging candidates, sharing community experiences, offering ideas, and holding leaders accountable for their promises.
Key Takeaways
Personal experiences can inspire political participation. The challenges people witness in their communities can motivate them to pursue public service and seek solutions through leadership.
Young aspirants need more accessible pathways into politics. Financial demands and structural barriers can limit who gets the chance to run, regardless of commitment or ideas.
Support networks matter. Friends, mentors, and trusted relationships can encourage and support young people as they navigate political life.
Campaigning requires intentional communication. Candidates need to understand their audiences, clearly communicate their priorities, and engage people through both digital platforms and community-based approaches.
Citizens can contribute beyond election day. Engaging aspirants, offering feedback, and asking questions are important ways to help shape political leadership.
Co-creation must lead to action. Conversations become more meaningful when candidates consider recommendations and use them to improve how they engage with the people they hope to represent.
At Shades of Us, we believe in amplifying African voices and creating spaces where people's experiences can shape conversations about the issues that affect their lives. The Young Political Leadership Co-Creation Lab reinforced the importance of listening to young people not only as voters, but also as aspiring leaders, community advocates, and contributors to the future of governance. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the stories shared at this event remind us that political participation begins long before election day. It begins when people recognise a problem, decide change is possible, and find the courage to join the conversation about how that change should happen. The next step is ensuring these conversations continue, citizens stay engaged, and young leaders' ambitions stay connected to the people they hope to serve.
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