It’s hard not to get frustrated when you think about Nigeria’s political scene. I mean, here we are, a nation brimming with potential—massive human and natural resources, a youthful population that’s more tech-savvy than ever—and yet, we are constantly treated to governance that’s as stale as a 3-day-old suya, all thanks to the unrelenting greed of those in power. They take more than they give, and when they do give, it’s just crumbs.
But what’s even more frustrating is how they keep getting away with it! Over and over, we go to the polls, and stand in the sun, sweat dripping, hoping this time, it’ll be different. But no, by the time we blink, it’s the same tired faces or their cronies pulling the levers. The old-fashioned voting system, where thumbprints magically appear on ballot papers by the thousands (from ghost voters, apparently), leaves us stuck in a loop. How did we get here? More importantly, how do we get out of this sticky situation?
Let us be honest. The greed of those in power is not new. It did not just start yesterday. It has been simmering for decades, almost like a family recipe passed from one generation to another. From the military juntas of the past to the so-called “democratically elected” leaders of today, it is like there is a blueprint for bad governance, and each leader happily copies the one before them. What is worse is that they have all perfected the art of making governance a private estate.
Let’s take a quick detour down history lane. Remember when, in the 1980s, Nigeria was swimming in oil money? We were one of the richest countries in Africa. But then the oil boom went bust, and instead of preparing for tough times, our leaders were busy buying mansions in London and shipping their children abroad for education. Fast forward to today, and the greed is still alive and well—fuel subsidy scams, inflated contracts, padded budgets. Meanwhile, the country limps on with poor infrastructure, a declining education system, and a healthcare sector that even a witch doctor would pity.
Here’s the good news though: Nigeria’s youth are not waiting around anymore. This new generation is educated, aware, and, thanks to the power of technology, connected. They’ve seen how things can be done better elsewhere, and they’re tired of being sold the same old lies wrapped in new slogans. We’ve already seen glimpses of this in movements like #EndSARS, and #EndBadGovernance, where young people used social media to organize, mobilize, and demand change. That was just the tip of the iceberg.
Imagine what can happen if the same energy is channeled into our electoral process? One key way to ensure real change is by revolutionizing how we vote. For decades, elections in Nigeria have been hijacked—literally. Ballot boxes get snatched, votes get manipulated, and by the time the results come in, we are left scratching our heads, wondering how on earth our choices vanished into thin air.
Technology offers us a way out of this mess. Think about it—why should we still be using outdated methods of voting when we have smartphones, blockchain technology, and biometric systems at our fingertips? With electronic voting, results can be instant, and the manipulation of ballot papers would be impossible. Countries like Estonia have already been doing this for years. Estonia! That’s a tiny country in Europe that most Nigerians would struggle to find on a map, but they’ve managed to build one of the most efficient and transparent voting systems in the world. If Estonia can do it, what’s stopping us?
But here’s the kicker—it’s not just about the technology itself. The youth must actively push for its adoption. We can’t sit around waiting for the same greedy leaders to decide when the time is right. No, the time is now! It’s about time we stop playing by their rules and start using our numbers and tech-savviness to level the playing field. There are over 60 million eligible Nigerian youths, yet many don’t bother to vote because they believe their votes don’t count. And who can blame them? But with technology, we can change that narrative.
If we leave things as they are, we might as well be voting with paper, pen, and pigeon, sending our ballots off like love letters hoping they reach the right destination. The old ways just aren’t working. If we want to see real change, then we have to embrace new ways. And if that means fighting tooth and nail for technological reforms in our voting system, so be it.
To sum it up, Nigeria doesn’t have a problem with its people. The problem is the greed that has poisoned our leadership, and the outdated systems that enable it. But the future isn’t as bleak as it seems. The youth have the numbers, the drive, and, most importantly, the technology to turn things around. It’s time to stop letting them fool us with “stomach infrastructure” and start demanding real infrastructure—both physical and digital.
So, to all the young people out there, the power is in your hands. You’ve tweeted, you’ve marched, now it’s time to vote smarter. Let’s make sure that next time we’re choosing leaders, it’s based on real values, not fake promises. With technology, we can make that happen. And who knows, maybe one day, our leaders will actually start leading instead of just looting.
Is that too much to ask? I don’t think so.
#NewAge #TechOverPapper #OldSystemMustGo #AwakenYouths #BlockChainNigeria
