Exploring Civic Participation and Democratic Attitudes Among University Students in Southwest Nigeria

This study examined the disposition of undergraduates towards democratic values and civic engagements in Southwest, Nigeria. Descriptive research design of the survey type was used in this study. The population of this study consisted of 872,100 undergraduate students, universities in Southwest, Nigeria. The sample for this study consisted of 1555 university undergraduates selected using multistage sampling procedure that include simple random, stratified and purposive sampling techniques. “Undergraduate Attitude towards Democratic Values and Civic Engagement Questionnaire” (UADVCEQ) was used to collect data. Face and content validity of the instrument, were ensured by experts in the fields of Social Studies Education, and Tests and Measurement in the Faculty of education, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti. Reliability of the instrument was ensured through test-retest method and a reliability coefficient of 0.78 was obtained. Data were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics such as frequency counts, means, standard deviations, and percentages; and PPMC and multiple regression. It was reported that undergraduate have positive attitude towards democratic values but their level of engagement was high. A significant positive relationship existed between attitude toward democratic values and civic engagement among others. It was inferred that there was a general appreciation for the principles of democracy among undergraduate students Southwest, Nigeria Universities. It was recommended others that the positive attitudes toward democratic values should be strengthened by putting programmes focusing on bridging the gap between positive attitudes and practical civic engagement.