PoliZ: On a Mission to Make Policy Simple, Accessible, and Fun
Welcome! My name is Andrew Kintum and I am the Founder of PoliZ (pronounced Poli-Zee).
As you might already know, at PoliZ, we simplify policy and governance. We break down complex government policies and information into expressions and formats that connects with young people.
The 1st of October, 2024, will make it a year since we officially launched and we have done quite a bit in such a short amount of time. If you are here, you have probably engaged with us one way or the other, be it through our Twitter Space, Instagram reels or on our WhatsApp Community.
One of our goals, starting with this article, is to introduce long-form content on our website for deeper discussions and insights. I thought it wise that, for our first post, we talk about PoliZ—what we do, what we intend to achieve; an overview basically. So spare me 15 minutes of your time, let me share our story with you.
The Origins
The idea for PoliZ came to life during the 2023 elections. We saw young Nigerians actively getting involved—registering for their PVCs, campaigning for their preferred candidates, and engaging in political conversations.
But we also saw a gap—many youths were unaware of how governance structures work, or the laws that affect their everyday lives.
That’s where PoliZ comes in. We exist to bridge that gap by providing clear, engaging information to help young Nigerians understand the policies that shape their lives.
We believe that the first step to increasing youth participation in governance is giving them access to relevant information. But it doesn’t stop there—having access is one thing; but understanding that information is key.
The Three Things
At PoliZ, we like to say we do three things. We make policy and governance:
- Simple to Understand
- Easy to Access
- Fun to Engage
Simple to Understand
We know that for many youths, topics like inflation, Naira devaluation, and subsidies can sound like a foreign language. That’s why we take these complex topics and break them down into relatable, digestible content. We explain policies in a way that even a 5-year-old could get it! Take, for example, our explainer on inflation.
Like I shared earlier, going forward, we will be creating long-form explainer articles to simplify these topics, to ensure that you fully understand them.
Easy to Access
What good is information if it’s hard to find? At PoliZ, we strive to be everywhere you are. That’s why we meet you where you are—whether you’re scrolling on Twitter, browsing Instagram, chatting on WhatsApp, or reading emails, we make sure the info is right there at your fingertips.
We bring the information straight to you on platforms you already use, making it convenient to stay informed and engaged. Find everything here.
In the near future, we plan to join you on TikTok and YouTube—just like MTN, we’ll be everywhere you go.
Fun to Engage
Few months after starting, we learned that it’s not enough to just be simple and accessible. To really capture your attention, we have to make it fun.
If you check when we started, we were not as fun as we are now. Now, we try to incorporate creativity in everything we do—whether it’s our branding, our use of slangs, relatable memes, or vibrant video content.
Our aim is to make policy and governance something you actually want to engage with. Take a look at this explainer video—it’s informative but also entertaining!
What We Do
We provide a variety of content and activities designed to keep you informed and engaged in governance. Let’s run it down:
- Twitter & Instagram Content: Our social media pages are filled with updates on policy trends, governance stories, and tips for active citizenship. Our content is designed to make you feel part of the conversation, not just a passive observer. Check out our Instagram and Twitter.
- Long-Form Content on Our Website: We delve deeper into policy topics with our blog posts and articles. We cover everything from national policies to the impact of government decisions on everyday life.
In addition to long-form articles, we share PoliZ Life stories. These are personal narratives that show how government decisions directly affect young Nigerians.
Whether it’s the rising cost of living or the effect of fuel scarcity, PoliZ Life stories make governance real and relatable by connecting policies to everyday challenges faced by young people. - Weekly Twitter Spaces: Each week, we host interactive sessions called “Inside Nigeria with PoliZ.“ These sessions are all about breaking down trending national topics in a way that encourages you to share your thoughts and opinions.
We bring in guest speakers to discuss hot issues, and you’re invited to join the conversation, ask questions, and offer your perspective. It’s recorded so you can always go back to listen. - Monthly Workshops: Our workshops go beyond teaching young Nigerians how to be active citizens—we train them on essential, timely topics. Our last workshop, hosted by Daniel Ojukwu, focused on “How to Spot and Fight Fake News.” These workshops are hosted virtually, and you can always catch the recordings if you missed them. Listen to the recordings here.
- Weekly Newsletters: Our newsletters keep you up to date on the most important events happening in Nigeria. We summarize the latest developments in policy, governance, and national affairs in a fun, engaging way, without overwhelming you with too much information. Sounds nice, right? Go ahead and subscribe.
- Video Content: We create engaging video content that explains policy and governance in a way that’s both educational and entertaining. Whether we’re tackling a trending topic or explaining a complex policy, our videos break it down in a way that’s relatable and enjoyable to watch. You can go watch the explainer video on inflation and the NIMC ID card.
- WhatsApp Community: Our WhatsApp Community is where the real-time conversations happen! We use it to engage directly with our members, share important updates, host discussions, and keep everyone informed on policy matters. It’s a space where you can ask questions, share opinions, and connect with other young Nigerians who are passionate about making a difference.
- Quizzes: Want to test how much you’ve learned? Our quizzes are a fun, interactive way to challenge your knowledge of current affairs, governance, and policy. Our quiz keeps you entertained while giving relevant information! Take our latest quiz here.
The Mission that we’ve chosen to accept
At PoliZ, our mission is simple: we aim to empower Nigerian youth to take an active role in policy and governance.
We believe that when young people understand how policies work and how governance decisions impact their lives, they’re better equipped to shape their futures.
Understanding policies and the structures that govern Nigeria helps young people move from passive spectators to active participants in shaping the country.
From voting in elections to engaging in civic advocacy, young Nigerians have the potential to drive the country forward, and PoliZ is here to help make that happen.
The Team
Alongside my humble self, I am joined by my co-founder, Abdulahi Adebayo, a seasoned social development expert with a passion for youth empowerment and civic engagement. You can read more about us here.
A part of our team includes dedicated volunteers who share our commitment to civic education and empowering young Nigerians. Together, we make it easier for youths to understand the policies that shape their everyday lives.
Join Us!
If you’re ready to be part of the movement, follow us @polizng on social media. Whether you’re here to stay informed or to get actively involved, PoliZ dey for you.
Interested in joining our team as a volunteer? Great news! We’re currently accepting applications. Click here to apply and be part of the movement.
You know our mission—come join us! Let’s make policy and governance simple, accessible, and fun for everyone.
