Youth-led dialogue charts path for restoring trust in Nigeria’s elections

In a bid to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections, iLEAD AFRICA has convened the Future for Democracy Policy Dialogue in Abuja, themed “Rebuilding Trust in Nigeria’s Elections through Youth Participation and Civic Innovation.”

The one-day forum brought together youth leaders, civic actors, policy experts and media practitioners to develop practical strategies for rebuilding public confidence in the country’s electoral institutions.

Speaking at the opening session, iLEAD AFRICA Chief Executive Officer, Yusuff Liadi Abiodun, emphasised that young Nigerians must move beyond being mere voters to becoming co-owners of democratic governance. 

He called for deeper youth inclusion in political and decision-making processes.

A key outcome of the dialogue was the proposal for a 50/50 representation framework between youth and adults in political and governance structures, aimed at addressing long-standing youth marginalisation in Nigerian politics.

Participants identified major barriers to youth participation, including weak political organisation, financial exclusion, limited civic awareness and voter apathy. 

To address these challenges, stakeholders recommended strengthening youth political blocs, introducing early civic education, encouraging active party engagement, and simplifying voter registration processes.

Technology-driven civic engagement featured prominently in the discussions. iLEAD AFRICA’s iMonitor platform was highlighted as a strategic tool for reporting electoral incidents, tracking government projects and supporting youth-led election observation. Recommendations included securing INEC accreditation for the platform, expanding regional observer mapping, deploying USSD and barcode-based reporting for low-connectivity areas, and amplifying advocacy through digital influencers.

The forum also underscored the importance of election security, stressing the need for observer neutrality, early detection of violence risks, and proactive voter education to reduce electoral tensions. Experts further called for evidence-based mapping of electoral hotspots and closer collaboration with INEC to ensure the safe deployment of sensitive election materials.

In closing, iLEAD AFRICA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting electoral integrity, noting that rebuilding trust in Nigeria’s elections requires more than procedural reforms. 

The organisation stressed that youth leadership, credible civic innovation and sustained collaboration between institutions and citizens are critical to strengthening democratic accountability and safeguarding the electoral process.