Young Women’s Struggle for Political Participation in Nigeria: Examining the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Movement

This study explores the experiences of young women struggling for political participation in Nigeria, taking the case study of the pressure by the NTYTR (Not Too Young To Run) movement for the passage of the Age Reduction bill in Nigeria. In 2018, the Bill was suc-cessfully passed through the Nigerian Parliament and came into force after two years suc-cessful youth led social movement. The age for running for various political offices were reduced, for the House of Representative and State House of Assemblies from 30 years to 25 and President from 40 to 35. Young people across Nigeria collaborate to ensure the Bill was passed, during the 2019 election, more male youth entered politics as a result, but women youth and older women were left behind in the process despite playing a key role in the movement. The study explores how and why this happened and seeks to find a remedy to make lower age provisions work for young women as well as young men. Based on semi-structured interviews, two thirds with young women, one third with young men, and a focus group discussion, as well as observation, the study opened debate with over 40 young people, with a focus on women and gender issues.