The push for increased youth participation in governance ahead of the 2023 election is catalyzing change in Nigeria's political culture and populist convictions about civic responsibilities.
Previously, full-time politicians, businessmen, or ex-military generals dominated politics.
Today, many Nigerian celebrities are getting involved.
As we approach the 2023 general election, here are some public figures in entertainment who will be running for elective office:
He first entered Nigerian politics in 2019, when he ran for the seat of Eti-Osa in Lagos in the lower chamber of the national assembly under the banner of the Modern Democratic Party.
The APC candidate, Babajide Obanikoro, defeated the musician-turned-politician.
Banky W refused to back down and joined the Peoples Democratic Party instead of the Modern Democratic Party (PDP).
He ran for and won the party's Eti-Osa federal constituency primary ticket ahead of the 2023 general election.
2) Tuoyo Ideh
Tuoyo, an ex-housemate from Big Brother Naija's season 4 reality show, is running for a seat in the House of Representatives.
He is running for the Warri Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
He took to Instagram earlier this month to share his election flyer and declare his political intentions.
3) Caroline Danjuma
Caroline Danjuma, a Nigerian actress, has also joined the group.
She was recently announced as the running mate of Iboro Otu, the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom state in 2023.
The party said in a statement that Danjuma was chosen as a running mate because of her "exemplary life, love for humanity, leadership ability, and commitment to the betterment of Akwa Ibom communities."
4) Funke Akindele
The actress-producer Funke Akindele recently confirmed her nomination as the running mate of Abdul Azeez Olajide Adediran, the PDP's gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, for the 2023 Lagos governorship election.
She was recently criticized for appearing unprepared on live television to discuss her party's plans for Lagos.
5) Desmond Elliot
Desmond Elliot, the actor-producer, is no stranger to Nigeria's political scene.
In 2015, he ran for and won the Surulere Constituency 1 seat for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Elliott was re-elected to a second term as a legislator in 2019 after four years in office.
In the 2023 general election, the celebrity politician will run for re-election to his third term as a member of the Surulere 1 Constituency in Lagos.
Femi Branch is an actor who is also running for a political seat in the upcoming election.
6) Femi Branch
He was named the running mate for Tofunmi Ogunronbi, the National Rescue Movement (NRM) governorship candidate in Ogun state in 2023, earlier this month.
Ogunronbi stated that he chose Branch because he believed he would add more value to his candidacy.
He also stated that the actor has been outspoken about poor governance and social injustice.
7) Tonto Dikeh
She is yet another well-known Nollywood actress who has been named as a governorship running mate.
Dikeh has long harbored political ambitions. She even declared her intention to run in the 2023 election two years ago.
In June, she was nominated as a running mate for Tonte Ibraye, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Rivers state.