The “Elevating Youth Voices, Building Trust, and Civic Cohesion” (CLiP) project is a transformative civic leadership initiative designed to tackle the growing problem of youth apathy towards civic engagement and political participation in Nigeria. Given that 70% of Nigeria’s population consists of youth, their potential to drive societal change is immense. However, widespread disengagement and lack of civic awareness have hindered their effective participation in democratic processes, particularly in Eastern Nigeria.
In response, NGYouthSDGs, with funding from LEAP Africa through the Nigeria Futures Fund grant, launched the CLiP project in the Enugu East Senatorial District. The initiative seeks to boost youth participation in local democracy, enhance civic education, and foster trust between young citizens and elected officials. CLiP equips youth with advocacy tools, promotes participatory governance, and emphasises inclusivity, particularly for marginalised groups like persons with disabilities, to build a more equitable and cohesive society.
Cross-section of participants at the townhall meeting
Addressing Civic Apathy Through Dialogue
To bridge the gap between youth and governance, NGYouthSDGs organised a pivotal town hall meeting, bringing together over 50 young participants, NGOs, and lawmakers. The town hall meeting sought to address civic disengagement and mistrust while identifying actionable solutions for enhanced youth participation in governance. Discussions spotlighted issues of civic apathy, corruption, and mistrust, concluding with key recommendations, commitments from lawmakers, and renewed optimism for democratic engagement.
CLiP project Manager, Ruth Ogwuche delivering the welcome address at the townhall meeting
Key Sessions and Highlights
Opening Session and Welcome AddressThe event began with registration and opening prayers. The project manager, Mrs Ruth Ogwuche, welcomed attendees and introduced the theme and objectives of the meeting: fostering dialogue, enhancing civic cohesion, and inspiring legislative action. She underscored the critical role of youth in sustaining democracy and lauded their active civic participation.
Charity Chinweokwu introduced NGYouthSDGs and the CLiP project, followed by the keynote address delivered by Ikenna Ugwu, Executive Director of Development Edge. His speech emphasised trust-building between youth and lawmakers, recognising systemic barriers to youth engagement, and urging collective responsibility for fostering meaningful participation.
Progress Report on CLiP Activities and Impact: Mrs Ruth Ogwuche, the project manager, presented a comprehensive progress report detailing how CLiP has expanded civic knowledge, strengthened advocacy skills, and fostered inclusivity, particularly for persons with disabilities. Insights from FGDs, IDIs, and KIIs identified key barriers to youth engagement: mistrust, corruption, financial burdens, and lawmakers’ inaccessibility.
Hon. Princess Obiajulu sharing insights on meaningful youth engagement in local democracy during the panel session
Panel Discussion and Participant Insights
Building Trust with Youth: Hon. Princess Obiajulu affirmed that every vote matters and urged persistence in addressing electoral grievances, drawing on the parable of the persistent widow. She highlighted the need for consistency and determination to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Mr Okechukwu Odogwu, Managing Director of Dream FM, recommended creating internship programs and using media to engage constituents. He stressed the importance of pre-town hall educational sessions to clarify expectations and promote meaningful participation.
Addressing Monetary Expectations and Transactional Democracy: Participants discussed the impact of financial incentives on youth engagement.
Suggestions included improving access to healthcare and education, teaching income-generating skills, and promoting resilience.
Mr Ude Obodo criticised the system’s incentivisation of criminality and urged a societal mindset shift to prioritise service-oriented leadership.
Facilitating Youth Engagement Structures: Participants proposed regular town hall meetings, grassroots initiatives, and proactive efforts to create systemic changes. Suggestions emphasised leveraging digital platforms for broader participation and fostering self-reliance among youth.
Conclusion
The town hall meeting served as a critical platform for advancing youth engagement and tackling the key challenges affecting their involvement in governance. Discussions underscored the importance of building trust between youth and lawmakers, promoting inclusivity, and highlighting the crucial role of ongoing civic education in empowering young people. The event emphasised a shared commitment to ensuring that youth voices are not only heard but are integral to the democratic process.
NGYouthSDGs remains dedicated to empowering young leaders, fostering collaboration, and amplifying grassroots voices, ensuring that youth perspectives are at the forefront of governance. The recommendations made by participants, such as increasing legislative involvement, enhancing awareness, and ensuring the continuation of town hall meetings, offer a clear roadmap for enhancing youth engagement. The feedback collected reveals a strong desire for more consistent, accessible platforms for youth to engage with lawmakers and for a collaborative approach to overcoming the barriers that limit youth participation.
Learn more about Elevating Youth Voices, Building Trust, and Civic Cohesion project by visiting https://nigerianyouthsdgs.org/civicleadership/
