The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside key national and international partners, has launched the updated National Voter Education Manual and a youth-focused Civic and Voter Education Manual, in a renewed push to tackle voter apathy and strengthen democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The event, held at Reiz Continental Hotel, brought together stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and youth groups, in their call for a more informed and engaged electorate.
In his welcome address, Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, highlighted the steady decline in voter turnout since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.
He noted that participation has dropped from over 60% in 2003 to below 30% in recent elections, stressing that while Nigerians may take the right to vote for granted, many lack the knowledge or motivation to exercise it effectively.
Haruna explained that the manuals were developed in collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) to both educate citizens and encourage greater electoral participation.
Delivering the keynote on behalf of INEC Chairman
Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, National Commissioner Malam Haruna warned that voter apathy remains one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s democracy.
He pointed to data from recent elections showing a widening participation gap, where a minority determines leadership for the majority.
The Commission reaffirmed that the Electoral Act 2026 strengthens transparency through improved legal frameworks and electronic processes but emphasized that laws alone cannot solve disengagement.
“An indifferent electorate is a democracy in retreat,” the keynote stressed, calling for sustained civic education to rebuild trust and participation.
In his remarks, Bukola Idowu, Team Leader of KDI, described the launch as more than a presentation of documents, calling it a strategic intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
He noted that the revised manual reflects new electoral laws, evolving technologies, and the realities of modern political participation, while the youth-friendly version is tailored to engage young Nigerians as voters, educators, and change agents.
Idowu stressed that declining turnout signals deeper issues of trust and awareness, which the initiative seeks to address through accessible and practical civic education tools.
Representing the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Oluwakemi Afolayan emphasized that democracy is sustained not just through elections, but through values and informed citizenship.
She described the initiative as timely, noting that embedding civic education within the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) framework will deepen grassroots engagement and create long-term impact.
“An informed electorate is the strongest defence against voter apathy, misinformation, and electoral violence,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office underscored the importance of sustained voter education in ensuring credible and inclusive elections.
He noted that elections are not one-day events but the outcome of continuous civic awareness and public trust, adding that the manuals will play a vital role in equipping citizens to participate meaningfully.
Providing an overview, Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, explained that the manual has been comprehensively revised to align with the Electoral Act 2026.
She highlighted key updates, including changes to party primaries, campaign finance regulations, electoral offences, and the continued use of technologies like BVAS.
The manual, now structured into 11 modules, also incorporates global best practices and expanded digital engagement strategies to reach Nigeria’s tech-savvy population.
A major highlight of the launch is the integration of the civic manual into the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS), positioning corps members as frontline civic educators nationwide.
Stakeholders said this approach leverages peer-to-peer learning to spread democratic values across communities, schools, markets, and religious institutions.
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