One of the most powerful phrases young Nigerians grow up hearing is “you are the leaders of tomorrow.” Demographically, that promise should be within reach. With a median age of about 18 and more than 60 percent of the population under 25, Nigeria has one of the youngest populations in the world. Legally, the pathway appears open. The “Not Too Young to Run” Act, signed into law on May 31, 2018, lowered the minimum age for presidential candidates from 40 to 35. But in practice, Nigeria’s political system remains one of the most financially exclusionary in the world. The system expands eligibility in law while restricting access in reality.