Abstract
The study investigates the effects of youth engagement on political unrest during the 2023 election campaigns in Kano State, Nigeria. The research was motivated by recurring incidents of political unrest in Nigeria, particularly during election periods, and sought to understand the role of youth in these events. The study aimed to examine the nature and extent of youth political engagement, identify factors influencing their participation. The study was delimited to youth aged 18-35 in Kano Municipal local government area. A survey research design was employed using a structured questionnaire. From a population of 700,000 youth in Kano Municipal, a sample of 384 respondents was selected using simple random sampling, with 380 valid responses obtained. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed high levels of youth participation in political activities, particularly through social media (96.1%), though many (64.5%) felt their views were not adequately represented by political parties. The study concluded that while youth engagement in politics was substantial, it was not always constructive or meaningful, contributing to frustration that could lead to unrest. Recommendations included establishing structured youth wings in political parties, implementing mandatory youth representation in political structures, expanding economic empowerment programs and developing comprehensive civic education programs DOI: https://doie.org/10.50390/NCAEJ.2026987862