Money politics has been identified as the major impediment limiting youth participation in politics and governance.

The observation was made at a discourse during the 2024 edition of the Civic Fest Africa, hosted by AdvoKC Foundation, in Lagos, in commemoration of the nation’s 64th Independence Day.

Themed, “Sustainable Citizenship,” Civic Fest Africa was conceived as a civic education tool to inspire civic consciousness among youths.

Issues that formed the thematic direction for the event included gender equality, politics, economic empowerment, among other things.

Co-founder/Project Director at AdvoKC, Habib Sheidu, said: “It is easier to bring people together to enjoy themselves while they are impacted with a lot they need to be active citizens.

“Talking about youth involvement in governance, if we have to be honest with ourselves, we know we play a politics of the pocket. It is hard to have a young person, just building up life and career to participate in the type of politics in the country.

“For example, for a governorship ticket, if you don’t have about five billion naira, you cannot be a governor in Nigeria. That’s the truth today. So, how can a young person of say 35 in this economy, get five billion. ”

This means that if there is any young person in government, it is more likely there is someone pushing him and it would be a politics of money. That’s the truth.”

Renowned actor, Segun Arinze, who headlined the event alongside Mr Macaroni (who sent a video in apology for his absence), in agreement with the need for a confab, described the idea as a masterstroke.

He said a lot of things could be discussed in the confab, including governance, politics, health sector, the economy, harnessing youth talents, among others.