Does the "democratic generation" of Nigeria want to vote?

Nigeria's first presidential election with a generation of voters who have only known democracy will take place next weekend.

Until 20 years ago, the country was ruled by a succession of military leaders or short-lived civilian administrations.

But has a democratic era been delivered to young people? Some 18-20 years old from Lagos and Abeokuta spoke to the BBC:

"Nigerian politics is messed up"

Emmanuel Odumade, artist, 19 years old

Regarding elections, I registered to vote. But I'm not going to lie, the registration process was very stressful and we had to wait two days to get the card.

If it depended on me, I would not have followed the process, but people said that I had to get the card to use as an identity card.

It's not that politics does not interest me, but I would just say that Nigerian politics is messed up. For me, I just have the impression that it is not sincere. At the end of the day, we all know who will win, so what is the point of voting? It's not that your vote really matters.

Main presidential candidates:

• Muhammadu Buhari, 76 years old
• Atiku Abubakar, 72 years old

Everything is in a mess, we just need the intervention of God.

I am an artist. I discovered that I could draw because I fell in love with a girl at school.

I was trying to impress her and every day I went to school with a new portrait of her. At the end of the day, she did not fall in love with me but I still had the talent.

As I get older, I want to be someone who speaks on behalf of my people through my art.

& # 39; Do we practice democracy? & # 39;

Monday Victory, street vendor and designer, 19

I did not register to participate in the elections because I am worried about the violence. Nobody talks about it, but there is tension. I do not want to vote because I hate something that could cause a fight.

Do we really practice democracy in Nigeria? I do not know what to say, but I do not think so. If we practiced democracy, people should follow rules and regulations.

But I do not want a military rule. I just want to improve this country, not all that DIY. It should be done to show your talents.

And there are many things to fix. For example, for a long time, there are places where roads are bad. And also the electricity, as in the place where I sleep – they should bring light.

I am a fashion designer, but I also help my aunt sell peanuts. I have finished my studies and I hope to study mbad communication, but I struggle to enter the university with the little money I have.

I am an orphan – my mother died in 2013 from a terrible illness and my father died in 2005 – so they can not support me.

"We must make our country proud"

Nasir Muhammad, gold dealer, 19 years old

It is important for me to take part in the election, to help get a good leader for the country. Knowing the kind of person we vote for will help us and give us a caring nation.

By not voting, you do not help the nation. We must come together and make our country proud and strong.

In this life, education is key and I would like the government to pay more for our speakers and provide better equipment. There should also be better transport and roads, good enough for vehicles and for people to walk.

More about Nigeria's vote:

I prefer democracy over military rule, because we have the right to express our opinion and talk about what concerns us.

If I were the president, I would badure that corruption is over in Nigeria because people are still shouting "corruption, corruption, corruption".

I help my father in the gold trade. It's a good deal, who paid tuition and food for me and my eight siblings.

I have now finished high school and would like to go to university to study zoology.

"I want everything cheaper"

Andrew Ogunnorin, Furniture Manufacturer, 20 Years

I wanted to register to vote to get the ID card but I did not have the time. We start working at 7:30 and we close at 9:00 pm and I could not tell the boss that I wanted to go there.

But even if I had registered, I would not vote. There could be a fight afterwards and I do not want a fight. They would shoot rifles, pull out swords, and I do not like that.

I do not know who's responsible, but I do not think the chair is doing anything. Look how much it costs.

At one point, if I wanted to buy a cup of rice, it was 40 naira ($ 0.11, £ 0.09); now it's 80 naira. The money that bought two cups now buys one. What does the president do?

I want everything to be cheaper than before. As an apprentice furniture maker, I get 1,100 naira ($ 3; £ 2.30) a week.

In addition, there is no regular electricity. Since the morning, we have no more power and nothing works.

I would like to continue my studies and learn technical engineering, but I do not have the money. My father is a fisherman and my mother is a trader and they can not pay to support me.

"Chefs do not listen"

Promote Ifadah, student, 20 years old

In fact, I wanted to vote first and I went to register. But at the registration center, we had to wait for hours and hours, and then we learned that the manager had not come.

We were told to come another day and I got upset because I have a lot of things to do. I ended up giving up my efforts to get a voter card.

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When I think of our leaders, I do not say that they are bad, but one thing I noticed was that they do not really listen to what the people have to say.

These are the people they lead and they should be concerned about our business. There is no water in my house for months, but who are we going to tell?

The most popular definition of democracy is "the government of the people, for the people and by the people". But when we give that definition, it's obvious that even the government does not follow it.

It's supposed to be "the government of the people", but who are the people? People are suffering.

I like democracy because it concerns the people. It is "we", it is not the army that imposes things on people saying, "You do this, you do that".

"Corruption is very serious"

Adijat Balogun, laundrywoman, 19 years old

I did not register to vote. I wanted to work but I was so busy with work that I could not save time. I want to join the air force and for the moment I am focusing on this application.

All I want is for this country to be better. I'm a little afraid of elections and in the past, I heard that there had been murders.

I do not really know politics. I think it's important to participate but I'm not ready yet. There are many things to change. Corruption is very, very serious, and there is poverty and hunger, and we want better jobs. But I do not know how to solve these problems.

I started as a laundress last year after finishing high school. I do not do laundry, my job is to pick up dirty clothes and deliver clean clothes.

I earn 15,000 naira ($ 41) a month. This is not enough, but I must continue.

I would like to be part of the air force because I want to be proud of myself. I like the uniform and there is respect. I pray to God that it works.

"We need more jobs and better quality"

Caleb Obiefunwa, 18, clothing saleswoman

I did not go to register to vote. I do not care about politics. For me, everything is business and to earn money. Now, I need money to start my business, that 's all.

I hear about elections and voting, but in the end, we have already decided who would win.

This country needs more and better jobs. There are so many unemployed graduates that something should be done for them.

I do not know anything about the time of the military reign. I do not believe in history, I believe in tomorrow.

For the moment, I am an apprentice, but after six years, my boss will prepare a shop for me. What I earn is enough for me.

I hope that in 10 years, by the grace of God, I will have what I need. I would like to be able to help the younger ones, if I can help it, I will do it.

"No country is without problems"

Aribide Abiodun, dyer, 19 years old

I registered to vote and the process was good, everything went well and I will vote.

People are talking about problems but I think Nigeria's economy is good. There is no country that has not had problems. I went to Cotonou in Benin last week and I saw there that they had problems. And I can see on my phone that there is a problem in Togo.

So all we need is to pray that the economy will be better and that everything will be fine.

I think the president has tried to get rid of the bad things in Nigeria. For example, anti-corruption people recover stolen money.

My garment dye business is doing well and I make about 10,000 nairas ($ 28, £ 21) a week. I was born in this field and I work here since elementary school.

When someone works, he is not going to suffer. In Nigeria, some young people do not want to work and as they do not want to work, they are involved in activities such as Internet fraud.

The only thing to do is to work and get closer to God.

Photos by Grace Ekpu, BBC