1Kinge Ruth Fanny
1Department of Political Science
Gombe State University.
Corresponding Author’s E-mail: rkfanny@yahoo.com
Abstract
The study examines gender differences in political engagement among young people in universities in Gombe State, North East Nigeria. Youth political engagement has remained a source for concern in Nigeria, with more youth advocating for laws to ensure increased youth participation in governance. These agitations birthed the ‘Not too Young to run’ bill signed into law in July 2017 by the Buhari administration. The study focuses on gender differences in political engagement among young people in selected universities in Gombe State with focus on the 2015 and 2019 general elections with the aim to determine if gender differences exist among young people; what forms of political engagement do young people patronize and what informs their choices; determine if gender differences among young people in politics correlates with their disproportionate involvement in governance in Gombe State. Relying on data from a survey in 2021, of young people aged 18-29 years old; the study situates its arguments within the rational choice theory. Using chi-square test to determine the correlation between the variables. The findings reveal that gender difference in political engagement exist among young people in universities in Gombe State and that majority of young people participated in the 2015 and 2019 general elections in Gombe State and were prominent in voting and political campaigns/rallies. The study concludes that increased engagement of young people in political activities such as vying for political posts is imperative in order to change the power dynamics and ensure good governance in the state. It therefore, recommends massive mobilization of young people towards membership drive aimed at using their voting power to ensure the utilization of their human capital resources to secure their places in governance and administration of the state
Citation of article: Kinge, R. F. (2022).Gender, Youth and Political Engagement in Selected Universities in Gombe State, Nigeria. African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies (AJPAS), 15(1):84-102
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