Youth-Led Dialogue Charts Path for Restoring Trust in Nigeria’s Elections
In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections, iLEAD AFRICA convened the Future for Democracy Policy Dialogue in Abuja under the theme “Rebuilding Trust in Nigeria’s Elections through Youth Participation and Civic Innovation.”
The one-day forum brought together youth leaders, civic actors, policy specialists, and media representatives to explore actionable strategies for restoring public confidence in electoral institutions.
Source: Original
Youth as Co-Owners of Democracy
Opening the dialogue, iLEAD AFRICA Chief Executive Yusuff Liadi Abiodun stressed that young people should not only be voters but co-owners of democratic governance.
A major highlight of the discussions was the push for 50/50 representation between youth and adults in political and decision-making spaces, aimed at tackling systemic youth exclusion in politics.
Participants identified several obstacles limiting youth participation, including weak political organization, financial exclusion, insufficient civic socialization, and voter apathy. Proposed solutions included strengthening youth political blocs, introducing early civic education, promoting active party participation, and advocating for seamless voter registration processes.
Technology-driven civic engagement emerged as a central theme. iLEAD AFRICA’s iMonitor platform was highlighted as a critical tool for reporting election incidents, monitoring government projects, and supporting youth-led observation networks. Recommendations included securing INEC accreditation for iMonitor, regional observer mapping, USSD and barcode reporting for low-connectivity areas, and advocacy campaigns through digital influencers.
The forum also focused on election security, stressing observer neutrality, early identification of violence indicators, and proactive voter education to reduce tensions. Experts urged evidence-based mapping of electoral hotspots and close collaboration with INEC to safeguard the deployment of sensitive election materials.
Reaffirming Commitment to Electoral Integrity
Concluding the dialogue, iLEAD AFRICA reiterated that restoring trust in Nigeria’s elections requires more than procedural reforms. Youth leadership, credible civic innovations, and sustained collaboration between institutions and citizens are essential to achieving electoral integrity. By centering young people as accountability actors and leveraging technology, iLEAD AFRICA is cultivating a new generation of democratic oversight in Nigeria.
Source: Legit.ng
