2027: Reps urge Nigerian Youths to shape democracy through active participation
By Gift ChapiOdekina, ABUJA
The House of Representatives has urged Nigerian youths to take an active role in shaping the country’s democratic future by participating fully in the 2027 general elections.
The lawmakers said the future of Nigeria’s democracy depends largely on the choices, conduct and engagement of young people, who constitute the largest voting bloc in the country.
The call was made on Thursday during the Youth Town Hall organised as part of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja.
The event brought together lawmakers, government officials, development partners, youth leaders and civil society organisations to discuss ways of strengthening youth participation in governance.
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, the Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said youth development and inclusion remained central to the legislative agenda of the 10th House.
He said the Youth Town Hall had become a permanent platform for young Nigerians to contribute directly to legislation and public policy.
“Many of the ideas now reflected in the ongoing constitutional amendment proposals and other national policies were shaped by contributions made during previous editions of this Town Hall. Your voices have influenced outcomes, and that is precisely why this platform remains relevant,” Ihonvbere said.
The Majority Leader highlighted youth-focused legislative initiatives of the House, including the recently passed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Reform Bill, the proposed Nigerian Youth Welfare Scheme Fund Bill sponsored by Speaker Abbas, and a constitutional amendment bill seeking to reduce the minimum age for governorship candidates from 35 to 30 years.
He also listed reforms in education funding, taxation, electricity, cybersecurity and the digital economy as efforts aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
With preparations for the 2027 elections gaining momentum, Ihonvbere said young Nigerians remained the most important constituency to engage, urging them to make informed choices and participate actively in the democratic process.
“The quality of our elections and the future of our democracy will, to a large extent, be determined by the choices, conduct and active involvement of young Nigerians,” he said.
In his remarks, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the National Assembly for creating a platform that allows young people to interact directly with lawmakers and policymakers.
He said previous administrations had created a disconnect between youths and public institutions but noted that the current government was working to bridge the gap through sustained engagement.
“It is very important that young Nigerians are given the space to speak, ask questions, share ideas and take part in decisions that affect their future,” the minister said.
Olawande said the ministry had introduced programmes focused on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, digital training and access to affordable financing.
He also highlighted initiatives including the Nigerian Youth Academy, digital skills programmes, youth enterprise support schemes and the proposed Youth Green Fund as efforts aimed at preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in emerging sectors.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, encouraged youths to embrace innovation, technology and artificial intelligence as tools for national development.
Halilu said innovation would play a critical role in determining Nigeria’s future competitiveness, adding that NASENI’s Innovate Nigeria programme provides grants of up to N250 million to support innovators and technology-driven enterprises.
He urged young Nigerians to continuously upgrade their skills and develop solutions to societal challenges through technology and entrepreneurship.
Meanwhile, Yiaga Africa called on youths to move beyond discussions and translate their energy into sustained civic participation before, during and after the 2027 elections.
The organisation urged eligible youths to register and vote, reject misinformation, violence and hate speech, and hold political leaders accountable based on issues rather than personalities.
Yiaga Africa, which supports the Youth Town Hall through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria programme, commended the National Assembly for promoting openness and citizen participation through the National Assembly Open Week.
In his keynote address, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen reaffirmed the commitment of the House to ensuring that young Nigerians play meaningful roles in governance rather than merely serving as beneficiaries of government policies.
He urged youths to reject electoral violence, vote-buying, misinformation and divisive politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Register to vote. Reject violence. Reject vote-buying. Reject misinformation and political cynicism. Base your political choices on evidence and integrity rather than emotion,” Abbas said.
The Speaker stressed that democracy was sustained not only through elections but also through active participation in communities, workplaces, schools and public institutions.
He assured that the House would continue to promote a transparent, accountable and inclusive parliament where the voices of young Nigerians contribute to national development.
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