The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated the critical role of young people in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, as stakeholders converged in Abuja for a civic engagement programme aimed at enhancing youth participation in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The event, a Community Development Service (CDS) project initiated by a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member with the Commission, Magaji Ndagi, was held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja.
It drew attendance from senior management staff of the Commission, the NYSC, representatives of government institutions, corps members, and selected students from secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Declaring the event open, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, commended the initiative, describing it as a demonstration of youth-driven commitment to national development.
The National Commissioner emphasised that a credible voters’ register remained the foundation of free, fair and credible elections, noting that the ongoing CVR exercise was being implemented in phases in line with legal provisions.
He disclosed that as of April 2026, over 3.7 million Nigerians had registered, with youths accounting for more than 68 per cent of new registrants.
“Clearly, Nigeria’s youths dominate the country’s demography. Therefore, for our democracy to have any meaningful impact, it is necessary to engage with them by every reasonable means possible,” he stated.
The IVEC Chairman further highlighted the longstanding partnership between INEC and NYSC, noting that corps members had continued to play a central role in the conduct of elections since 2011.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General O. O Nafiu, represented by Mrs. Anyaogu Maureen of the NYSC Secretariat, Abuja, expressed pride in the convener, noting that he represents the ideal Nigerian youth committed to nation-building.
He urged young people, who constitute the largest voting population, to take advantage of the ongoing CVR exercise by registering and participating in elections.
