The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up engagement with Nigerian youths, urging them to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as a vital pathway to strengthening democracy and national development.
The sensitisation forum, convened by NYSC corps member and INEC advocate, Magaji Ndagi, focused on boosting youth involvement in the CVR process under the theme, “Enhancing Youth Engagement in Continuous Voter Registration.” It brought together representatives from INEC, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), alongside students and corps members.
Speaking on behalf of the INEC Chairman, National Commissioner Mallam Mohammad Kudu Haruna stressed the constitutional backing for voter registration, noting that only duly registered citizens can exercise their right to vote. He described a credible voters’ register as the cornerstone of free and fair elections.
Haruna revealed that while millions of Nigerians—largely youths—have registered so far, participation still falls short of expectations relative to the country’s youthful population. He added that the current phase of CVR, which began in January, will soon close ahead of a final phase, in line with the legal requirement that registration ends at least 90 days before general elections.
Delivering a keynote on behalf of the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Obinna Obirim commended the initiative, describing it as a strong example of youth-led civic responsibility. He emphasised that with over half of Nigeria’s population being young people, their participation is decisive in shaping governance.
“Democracy thrives on active participation, not silence or social media commentary,” he said, warning that failure to register effectively sidelines individuals from influencing leadership choices.
Also speaking, NYSC representative Mrs. Analogue Maureen highlighted the role of corps members in voter education and mobilisation nationwide. She debunked the notion that votes do not count, insisting that electoral outcomes are determined by participation.
Reinforcing INEC’s commitment, Mrs. Bello Lakunuya Dorothy, representing the Commission’s Secretary, reiterated that voter registration remains the bedrock of the electoral process. She outlined reforms such as online pre-registration, improved logistics, and technology deployment to enhance accessibility.
Earlier, convener Magaji Ndagi described the forum as a movement to inspire youths to take ownership of their future through civic engagement, noting that registering to vote is the first step toward having a voice in governance.
In his vote of thanks, Director of Voter Registry, Mr. Tunde Gafar, commended stakeholders for their support and called for sustained collaboration to boost youth participation in the electoral process.
