Nigerian civic advocate and governance campaigner Hamzat Lawal has called on young Nigerians to move beyond merely casting ballots and instead take active roles in shaping political leadership and accountability. Speaking on Saturday, June 20, at the University of Cambridge during a Democracy Day event organized by the Cambridge University Nigerian Society, Lawal insisted that real change depends on sustained civic participation.
Cambridge Forum Highlights Youth Power
Lawal emphasized that Nigeria’s youth population holds significant numerical strength capable of influencing national direction if properly mobilized. He recounted his advocacy work during the lead poisoning crisis in Bagega, Zamfara State, and the nationwide campaign that followed. “I travelled back to Abuja and started a campaign on Twitter with a hashtag called #SaveBagega,” he said, noting that youth mobilization contributed to government intervention funding.
Accountability and Public Finance Concerns
Lawal stressed the importance of tracking public spending through his initiative, Follow The Money, which promotes transparency in governance. “Where are funds coming from? Where are they going to? Most importantly, how do our leaders judiciously use this money?” he asked. He also called on Nigerians abroad to stay involved in national affairs, citing remittances as a reason for deeper civic responsibility. Lawal revisited the NotTooYoungToRun campaign, noting it took nearly a decade of collective effort to secure constitutional reforms that lowered age barriers for elective offices.
Hamzat Lawal: ‘We Have the Numbers’
Encouraging political participation, Lawal said: “We have the numbers. We determine the outcome,” urging young people to embrace leadership roles rather than remain passive observers. Lawal, founder of Follow The Money and Connected Development (CODE), concluded by challenging youths to overcome fear of politics and focus on legacy-building through engagement in governance and public institutions.
