Two academics at the University of Ibadan, Dr Ridwan Kolawole and Dr Kingsley Ogunne, have urged Nigerian youth to play active role in the 2027 general elections as a way of asserting their relevance as indispensable stakeholders in the Nigerian state.
The duo of Kolawole and Ogunne made the call at the sixth edition of the Billy Dudley Symposium organised by the Political Science Press Organisation, University of Ibadan.
The symposium, themed The Political Arena: Youth, Media and the Road to Nigeria’s 2027 Election, brought together students and academics to discuss political communication, elections and issues affecting Nigeria.
Dr. Kolawole emphasized the important role of young people in the electoral process, stating that they should pay close attention to how the media reports on political developments during elections.
This awareness will enable them to make informed decisions and fulfill their watchdog role as stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
Speaking on the topic “Who Watches the Watchdog? Youth, Media, and Electoral Accountability in 2027,” Kolawole said, “Youths must pay attention to what the media reports during elections.”
He encouraged young people to actively follow election coverage and stay engaged with developments reported in the media, highlighting the media’s crucial role in shaping public understanding of electoral issues.
“Youths are among the major consumers of digital content, with social media platforms providing a major avenue for accessing and discussing political information.”
“However, election periods are also characterised by competing political claims and a high volume of information, making the role of professional journalism important in providing context and reporting developments.”
He cautioned that “the youth should be wary of manipulation through misinformation and disinformation such as sharing of old media messages as new ones with the goal of misleading members of the public”
The symposium provided students with an opportunity to interact with academics and practitioners on issues concerning politics, communication and public discourse.
Speaking earlier, Dr Ogunne, who is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan, examined the need for the youth to move beyond online engagement and consider how Nigeria’s large youth population can translate its demographic strength into meaningful participation and influence in the electoral process.
Dr Ogunne, who is also a public relations practitioner, emphasised the numerical strength of Nigerian youths and how they can harness this advantage to shape the country’s political landscape.
In his opening remarks, the Editor-in-Chief of Political Science Students Press Organisation (POSSPRESS), University of Ibadan, Mr Olayemi Ogunleye, hinted that the aim of the symposium was to create spaces where young people can engage critically with politics, the media and issues that shape society.
Mr Ogunleye noted that the Billy Dudley symposium (named after the renowned political scientist, the late Billy Joseph Stanley Oritsesaninomi Dudley) was designed not merely as an academic gathering but as a platform for young people to think critically about their role in Nigeria’s political and democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.
The programme also featured Speechcraft 7.0, organised by the Literary and Debate (L&D) Society, led by Borere Yakub, with the theme “MACHTKAMP: Power Struggle.” The Speechcraft provided participants with an avenue to demonstrate their oratory, public-speaking, argumentative and critical-thinking abilities.
The interdepartmental debate featured the Department of Political Science and the Department of Philosophy which saw Political Science emerge as the winner.