2027: Stakeholders demand stronger youth participation in elections

A recent roundtable discussion on Nigeria's 2027 general elections has emphasized the importance of increasing youth participation in the electoral process. Organized by the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice and The Create Studio Nigeria in Abuja, the event brought together key stakeholders to discuss ways to empower young Nigerians to become active participants in governance.

Olukemi Afolayan, Director of Civic, Values, and Democracy Education at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), highlighted the significance of including young people in the democratic process. She argued that Nigeria's young population should not be viewed as "leaders of tomorrow," but as "active stakeholders in governance" today.

Afolayan stressed that enfranchising this new generation of voters required more than mere registration and voting; it necessitated equipping them with knowledge, confidence, and civic values to participate meaningfully and responsibly.

During her keynote address, Professor Ajibade Abiodun Michael, a university don, challenged the notion that young Nigerians are simply the "future." Instead, he urged this demographic to "take greater ownership of the democratic process." Michael pointed out that the passion of younger Nigerians was evident in their engagement with social media and other forms of civic action, but emphasized that this enthusiasm should translate into stronger participation at the polls.

Adekunle Adebanjo, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice, underscored the importance of credible elections for public trust, political stability, and sustainable development. The roundtable, titled "Reclaiming Our Vote: Enfranchising a New Generation of Voters," focused on measures to deepen citizen participation and strengthen Nigeria's democratic process ahead of the 2027 election.