Hamzat Lawal Urges Youth-Led Political Shift in Nigeria
Beyond the Ballot: Hamzat Lawal’s Call for Youth-Led Transformation in Nigeria’s Political Future
June 21, 2026 – Nigeria stands at a crossroads. With over 60% of its population under the age of 35, the nation possesses a demographic dividend that remains largely untapped in the corridors of power. Hamzat Lawal, a name synonymous with accountability and civic activism, has issued a clarion call for the youth to seize this moment and lead a transformation that transcends the periodic ritual of voting.
Lawal’s advocacy is rooted in lived experience. As the founder of Follow The Money and Connected Development (CODE), he has spent over a decade tracking public funds and amplifying citizen voices. His work began in earnest with the #SaveBagega campaign, a response to the devastating lead-poisoning outbreak in Bagega, Zamfara State. When government response faltered, Lawal and his allies turned to social media, mobilizing national outrage that ultimately compelled action. The campaign not only secured medical intervention and environmental remediation but also laid the foundation for Follow The Money—a platform that now monitors billions in public expenditure across Nigeria.
“Where are the funds coming from? Where are they going? And most importantly, how are our leaders using this money responsibly?” Lawal asks. This question cuts to the heart of governance. For too long, Nigeria’s youth have been relegated to the sidelines, their energy channeled into fleeting protests rather than sustained institutional engagement. Lawal insists that true change requires more than hashtags; it demands a presence in the rooms where decisions are made.
He outlines four interconnected pillars for youth-led transformation. First, expanding youth representation means ensuring young people are not just consulted but seated in decision-making bodies—from local councils to federal ministries. Second, strengthening accountability mechanisms involves deploying tools like Follow The Money to trace every naira expended, exposing corruption and demanding redress. Third, institutional participation marks a shift from protest politics to proactive engagement: running for office, joining boards, and influencing policy from within. Fourth, diaspora engagement leverages the financial and intellectual resources of Nigerians abroad, urging them to pair remittances with advocacy for transparency and reform.
The “Not Too Young To Run” campaign, which Lawal helped champion for over a decade, serves as a testament to what sustained activism can achieve. By successfully lowering the constitutional age limit for elective offices, the movement opened doors for young Nigerians to contest elections. Yet Lawal is quick to note that winning an election is merely the first step. Governing effectively requires navigating complex institutions, a skill honed through participation, not protest alone.
His message carries a sense of urgency. “Why are we scared of politics? Isn’t it better that we die and leave a legacy?” he challenges. This is not a call for recklessness but for courage—the courage to enter flawed systems and reshape them from within. Drawing parallels to the youthful vigor that characterized Nigeria’s independence struggle, Lawal reminds his audience that nation-building has always been a young person’s endeavor.
The road ahead is fraught with obstacles. Patronage, ethnic politics, and economic inequality continue to hinder merit-based advancement. Yet Lawal remains optimistic. By fostering a culture of transparency, where every expenditure is scrutinized and every official held accountable, the youth can dismantle the barriers that have long excluded them. Institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission and anti-corruption agencies must be strengthened to ensure fair play.
Ultimately, the transformation Lawal envisions is not about replacing one generation with another but about infusing governance with new ideas, energy, and integrity. When young people bring their technological fluency, global perspectives, and intolerance for corruption into the corridors of power, Nigeria stands a chance of fulfilling its promise as Africa’s giant.
The ballot box is merely the starting point. True power lies in the daily acts of governance—approving budgets, overseeing projects, and ensuring services reach the marginalized. If Nigeria’s youth can claim their share of this responsibility, they will not only secure their future but also redeem the nation’s promise.
Image Source: GHANAMMA
