Youth Leadership in Legislation: Assessing Young Legislators' Performance and Challenges in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The global underrepresentation of youth in formal political arenas is a pressing issue, particularly in Nigeria, where 74.22% of the population is under 35 years old, yet young people have limited access to legislative roles. The 2018 Not Too Young to Run Act sought to address this by lowering the eligibility age for House of Assembly candidates from 30 to 25 years. This study investigates the performance and challenges of young legislators in the Oyo State House of Assembly, focusing on the 9th Assembly, where 13 out of 32 members were aged between 25 and 40, including one of Nigeria's youngest legislators and speakers. The study employs a mixed-methods approach within a case study research design grounded in leadership competence theory. Data were collected on legislative activities such as attendance, sponsored bills and motions, and matters of urgent public importance from June 2019 to August 2021. Findings reveal that young legislators demonstrated leadership competencies and actively contributed to legislative processes but faced significant challenges, including limited experience in lawmaking and cultural dynamics when engaging with older colleagues. The study concludes that while including youth in legislative roles is a positive step, targeted capacity-building initiatives are essential to enhance their legislative effectiveness. It recommends mentorship programmes and training to equip young legislators with the skills to navigate complex legislative and socio-cultural environments.