The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed the vital role of young people in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, as stakeholders gathered in Abuja for a civic engagement programme focused on boosting youth participation in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The event, held on Wednesday at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, was a Community Development Service (CDS) project initiated by a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with the Commission, Magaji Ndagi.
It attracted senior INEC officials, NYSC representatives, government stakeholders, corps members, and selected secondary school students from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Declaring the programme open, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, praised the initiative as a strong example of youth driven commitment to national development.
He underscored the importance of a credible voters’ register as the foundation for free and fair elections, noting that the CVR exercise is being conducted in phases in accordance with legal provisions. As of April 2026, he disclosed, over 3.7 million Nigerians had registered, with youths accounting for more than 68 per cent of new registrants.
Haruna stressed that given the dominance of young people in Nigeria’s population, their active engagement is essential to ensuring the relevance and impact of democratic governance. He also highlighted the long standing collaboration between INEC and the NYSC, particularly the role corps members have played in election conduct since 2011.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General O. O Nafiu, represented by Mrs. Anyaogu Maureen, commended the convener and urged young Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise and participate actively in elections.
Also, Senior Technical Adviser to the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Obinna Ebirim, described the initiative as timely and aligned with national priorities on youth inclusion.
He called on young people to move beyond online activism and engage directly in the democratic process through voter registration and participation.
INEC’s Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, represented by Mrs. Dorothy Bello, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to inclusive electoral processes.
She noted that while youths are a critical demographic, many remain unregistered or disengaged, describing this as a risk to democratic development.
She identified sustained civic education, improved access to registration centres, and tackling misinformation as key measures to enhance youth participation in the CVR process.
In his welcome address, the convener, Magaji Ndagi, described the programme as a call to action for young Nigerians to take ownership of their future through active democratic engagement.
The event featured lectures by senior INEC officials, an interactive session on the CVR process, and the unveiling of a magazine aimed at promoting voter awareness and deepening youth involvement in electoral activities.
