- NOA warns that voter trust is declining
- Youth participation is vital to Nigeria’s democracy
- Stakeholders seek stronger electoral participation ahead of 2027
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has identified election violence, vote buying, misinformation and declining public trust as major threats weakening Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Director of Civic, Values and Democracy Education at the NOA, Olukemi Afolayan, raised the concerns on Thursday in Abuja at an election roundtable organised by Create Studio Nigeria and the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice.
The discussion was held under the theme, “Reclaiming Our Vote: Enfranchising a New Generation of Voters.”
Afolayan said growing distrust in elections was contributing to voter apathy, particularly among young Nigerians who increasingly believe that their votes have little influence on political outcomes.
She explained that restoring confidence in the electoral system was essential to encouraging citizens to participate actively in elections.
According to her, Nigeria’s large youth population makes young people indispensable to the country’s democratic development.
She noted that young Nigerians should not be viewed merely as future leaders, but as important participants in shaping the country’s political direction today.
Afolayan stressed that increasing youth participation required more than simply encouraging young people to register and vote. She said citizens needed stronger civic education to understand both their democratic rights and responsibilities.
She urged Nigerians to reject vote buying, avoid spreading false information, resist electoral manipulation and violence, and demand campaigns centred on policies and issues rather than inducements.
Also speaking at the event, university lecturer Prof. Ajibade Michael advocated greater involvement of younger Nigerians in political leadership.
Michael argued that political participation should give more attention to people between the ages of 25 and 70, whom he described as better positioned to respond to contemporary challenges.
He questioned the continued dominance of older politicians and called for a generational shift in the country’s political system.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Humanitarian Foundation for Social Justice, Adekunle Adebanjo, said the roundtable was organised to bring together stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s democratic experience and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting the electoral system.
Adebanjo maintained that democracy should ultimately improve citizens’ welfare and create better opportunities for the people, rather than exist solely as a political process.
The discussions come as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with concerns over voter apathy, electoral credibility, misinformation and public confidence remaining key issues ahead of the polls.
