Political activism involves organized efforts by citizens to influence political decisions and societal change through various methods, including protests, lobbying, voting, digital campaigns, and civil disobedience, aiming to promote or resist specific causes, issues, or reforms.
It goes beyond simply following news, focusing on actions that drive outcomes, fostering awareness, participation, and government responsiveness.

It involves taking active part in the processes aimed at producing concrete political outcomes to deal with the pervasive issues of bad governance and the social economic exclusion of critical segments of the Nigerian society including the youth population which have created general discontent.

In Nigeria, political activism especially with the involvement of the youths, comes with a huge price. Attacks by politically paid agents often result in loss of means of livelihood or even death.

Though, expression of opposition political views are often resented by government in power all over the world, the degree of suppression of such views vary from one country to another.

Youths in Nigeria since the 2022 EndSars protests and their active involvement in the 2023 presidential election where they massively voted for the Peter Obi led Labour Party, several suspected state sponsored arsons have occurred in Nigerian business and commercial arenas especially the Igbo dominated markets in Lagos, Ogun, Onitsha and Aba.

The Great Nigeria Insurance, GNI building fire that led to the loss of livelihoods and loss of lives is the latest of the suspected state sponsored attacks on perceived opposition supporters in the build up to the 2027 election where the incumbent, Bola Ahmed Tinubu is seeking re-election.

Twelve young and promising entrepreneurs lost their lives in the December 24, 2025 inferno that saw the tragic end of three siblings. Their death has sparked a conversation around the right of individuals to hold opinion in a highly politically charged environment like Nigeria.

What appeared like a natural feeling of betrayal by indigenous people against some stranger elements in the aftermaths of President Tinubu losing Lagos to the Labour Party, that led to the burning of the popular Igbo market in a Lagos slump and the the attempts by the government to take over the land space without due compensation paid to those who owned shops in the area, the attacks seem to assume a frightening dimension nation wide.

In Port Harcourt, Benin and Onitsha, markets had been deliberately set on fire by suspected political thugs to achieve targeted political interests at a huge cost to the political and economic growth of affected areas.

Although both the Federal government and other sub national governments have denied involvement, citizens believe that the gale coasion being seen in mass defense of top opposition politicians including state governor to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC as pointers.

Despite the seeming unfriendly atmosphere to political activism in Nigeria, it’s expected that key and traditional actions like voting and lobbying are encouraged to increase participation aimed to achieve concrete political or social changes, challenge existing power structures, raise public awareness.