Beyond Legal Reform: Political Parties and Youth Representation in Nigeria’s House of Representatives after the 2018 Age Reduction Law

Abstract

Lowering the age requirements for elective positions is often cited as a panacea for addressing young people’s underrepresentation in politics, with the belief that such a provision would empower young people and facilitate descriptive representation. ‘The Law on Reduction of Age for Elective Offices’ was passed in Nigeria on 31st May, 2018, making Nigeria one of the few countries to adopt such a measure. This study investigates how political parties have enabled or constrained the outcomes of the law. Six political parties were chosen for this single case study, accounting for major, medium, and minor party effects. Longitudinal data covering three election cycles from 2015 to 2023 were sourced from the electoral management body database. Empirical evidence shows that while the law has removed a significant age barrier, young aspirants still face challenges at the candidacy and electoral levels. The study found marginal increases in youth representation in the lower house of the Nigerian National Assembly following the 2018 age-reduction law. Although the law reducing the age for elective offices was aimed at opening political space and permitting greater participation by younger people, it does not prescribe any changes to political parties’ decision-making in candidate selection. The nature and realities of Nigerian party politics constrain young people and limit their ability to navigate the political system. Regulations are needed to moderate the parties’ candidate-selection processes. The absence of intra-party democracy, clientelist partyism, the monetisation of politics, and godfatherism continuously undermine young people.