PoliZ Steps Up Youth Engagement with New Advisory Board as Onigbinde and Oswald Join

Fadekemi Ajakaiye 

PoliZ (pronounced Poli-zee), a youth-focused non-profit committed to making politics and governance more accessible, has formed a new advisory board featuring influential voices in civic advocacy. This new board includes Oluseun Onigbinde, co-founder of BudgIT, Oswald Guobadia, managing partner at DigitA, and Mercy Akamo, founder of Africa Teen City, alongside Akintunde Babatunde,  Program Director at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development.

As the largest demographic of registered voters, young Nigerians hold significant potential to influence the political landscape.

According to data released by INEC, youths accounted for an impressive 39.65% of registered voters in the 2023 elections—that’s over 37 million young Nigerians. 

Despite being a large part of the voting population, many young people still feel disconnected from the electoral process. This disengagement often comes from complicated political language and information that is hard to relate to. For many youths, politics can seem confusing and unwelcoming, filled with jargon and processes aimed at those already in the know. PoliZ is working to bridge that gap.

“At PoliZ, we’re focused on breaking down governance and policy into formats that young people can connect with and understand,” says Co-founder/Executive Director, Andrew Kintum. 

The organization is committed to making governance relatable, and empowering young people to actively participate in governance.

One of PoliZ’s flagship initiatives, the Sabi Community Hangout, exemplifies its mission. This hangout series is designed to strengthen youth participation in governance through interactive workshops, policy discussions, and networking opportunities. The first edition, held on July 27, 2024, was facilitated by experts such as Opeyemi Ogundeji and Ufuomaoghene Oghuvwu. It showcases how community-centered programs can make governance more relatable and actionable for young Nigerians.

Oswald Guobadia emphasizes the need for creativity in engaging youth: “We need to find innovative ways to bring young people into the conversation about public policy. It’s not just about the information; it’s about how we present it.” 

Oluseun Onigbinde adds, “It’s an honor to join PoliZ. They’re using exciting ways to make public policy clear and engaging for young audiences.” Mercy Akamo echoed this sentiment, stating, “PoliZ is doing powerful work for the next generation. I’m thrilled to join the Board of Advisors and can’t wait to see the impact we’ll make together.”

PoliZ has already made strides in connecting with thousands of young Nigerians, gathering their opinions on pressing national issues. With this new advisory board, PoliZ is well-positioned to lead the charge in fostering a more informed and engaged youth electorate