By Msonter Ijoho
In the boiling cauldron of Nigerian politics, a new kind of energy is surfacing – not from the corridors of power, nor from long-established political dynasties, but from the streets, smartphones, and sharp minds of Nigerian youth. Amid economic despair, social disillusionment, and rising insecurity, young Nigerians are beginning to organize not just for protest, but for power. At the epicenter of this reawakening are movements like the RATELs – staunch supporters of activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) – alongside other digitally-rooted, socially-conscious collectives such as the Obidients, Sorosoke Generation, and informal influencers-driven youth blocs.
Beyond social media commentary, “The RATELs” have rapidly evolved from being mere followers of VDM into a veritable civic pressure group. Following VDM’s vocal criticisms of fake philanthropism, performative activism, and government complacency, the RATELs emerged as a fearless pack, not afraid to call out injustice and mobilize nationwide protests. During VDM’s recent arrest, the movement exhibited social and street credibility and nationwide reach, staging demonstrations in cities and flooding social media with coordinated campaigns demanding accountability. What makes the RATELs unique is their hybrid structure – they are both digital natives and grassroots mobilizers. Their ethos is drawn from VDM’s raw, unapologetic street-speak and their faith in what they believe is “truth without varnish.” To the establishment, they are unruly. To many Nigerian youth, they are authentic.
While the RATELs have been most visible in recent times, they are not alone in this surge of youth assertion. Several other movements have taken shape – each with its own style, message, and method.
The Obidients Movement crystallized around the 2023 presidential ambition of Peter Obi. Comprising young professionals, tech-savvy youth, civil society advocates, and urban voters, the Obidients were an organic response to a yearning for transparency, accountability, and youth-friendly leadership. Though Peter Obi did not win the presidency, the Obidient movement awakened an electoral consciousness that Nigeria has not seen in decades. Their voter registration drives, campaign funding strategies, and viral messaging reshaped how elections are now fought.
The Sorosoke Generation was born out of the #EndSARS protests in 2020, the Sorosoke movement, meaning “speak up” in Yoruba language, was a raw, emotionally-driven outcry against police brutality and bad governance. Though it began with a single issue, it morphed into a generation’s scream against systemic failure. While it lacks a central figure or political structure, the Sorosoke spirit still burns…, quietly influencing civic awareness, voter engagement, and protest culture.
The Influencer-Driven Micro-Movements – a rise of celebrity influencers, Twitter/X commentators, and YouTube voices – has also birthed unstructured yet impactful micro-movements. These figures command hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, of followers. Their endorsement, or condemnation, of political figures now sways public sentiment. They are not bound by ideology but by relevance, relatability, and resonance.
Campus Bloc Networks and Grassroots Coalitions – on university campuses and among informal youth associations like student unions, local artists’ coalitions, skitmakers’ guilds, tech hubs, and local activist circles – political awareness is reaching a new peak. These loosely structured units are likely to play vital roles in shaping narratives during the 2027 campaigns, especially as they link digital discussions to real-life grievances.
What makes this moment potent is not the existence of these groups in isolation, but their potential convergence. While the RATELs may differ in tone and style from the Obidients, and while the Sorosoke generation may seem spontaneous and disorganized, all these movements are bound by shared frustrations – youth unemployment, inflation, insecurity, poor governance, and a feeling of betrayal by successive administrations.
For the first time in recent memory, Nigeria is witnessing multiple youth groups speaking, organizing, and asserting political relevance simultaneously.
If 2023 was a warning shot, 2027 could be the full detonation of youth power.., if properly harnessed. These youth blocs already dominate online trends and public discourse. Political parties will need to align with their priorities or face widespread online and offline resistance. Through digital vetting, past records of political aspirants are now widely circulated. Youth movements will likely disqualify unpopular candidates from serious consideration long before the ballot. Movements like the RATELs and Obidients thrive without party structures. They could fund, campaign, and support independent candidates or parties outside Nigeria’s traditional political structure. These groups have already engaged in civil education and voter mobilization, educating their peers on INEC registration, PVC collection, and polling protocols. If sustained, this could change the voter turnout game entirely.
However, this youth awakening is not without its risks – fragmentation, infighting, lack of ideology, and susceptibility to financial inducement or co-option by political actors – remain major concerns. Movements that lack structure may be absorbed or dismantled through political patronage. Moreover, the cult of personality, whether around VDM or any other influencer, could limit long-term institutional impact if not backed by policy depth and organizational maturity.
Nigeria’s youth movements, from the RATELs to the Obidients and beyond, are no longer sideline critics – they are becoming agenda-setters, power-brokers, and kingmakers in their own right. Their diversity, rawness, and digital dexterity may appear chaotic, but beneath the noise lies the throb of a new political engine.
If the energy of these movements converges, the 2027 elections could mark a generational shift, one where youthful vision, rage, and reform-mindedness finally find their way from hashtags to the ballot box.
The question now is not whether the youth can lead. It is whether the Nigerian political system is ready for them when they do.
