INTERCULTURALITY

The intersection of Pentecostalism and youth political engagement in Nigeria has emerged as a significant area of scholarly inquiry, particularly as the country's democratic processes remain contested and unevenly participatory. Employing a qualitative, interdisciplinary methodology that integrates theoretical analysis, secondary data synthesis, critical discourse examination of pastoral and digital religious content, and case-based analysis of recent civic and electoral events, this study examines the extent to which Pentecostal churches function as sites of political socialisation, moral authority, and civic mobilisation for young Nigerians. Drawing on political sociology, religious studies, and African democratic theory, the study argues that Pentecostalism does not operate as a monolithic political force; rather, it produces ambivalent and often contradictory effects on youth political participation. Whilst certain Pentecostal formations actively cultivate civic consciousness and encourage electoral engagement, others reproduce a theology of political quietism that discourages sustained democratic participation. The article further interrogates how prophetic authority, prosperity theology, and charismatic leadership interact with emerging youth identities to shape political behaviour. By situating these dynamics within Nigeria's complex religious landscape and democratic deficits, the paper contributes to an expanding body of literature on religion and democracy in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings suggest that the political influence of Pentecostalism on Nigerian youth is best understood not as a straightforward mobilising or demobilising force, but as a dialectical process shaped by theological orientation, institutional culture, and the broader sociopolitical context.

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