The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in collaboration with national and international partners, has launched updated National Voter Education Manuals alongside a youth-focused Civic and Voter Education Manual, marking a renewed effort to address voter apathy and strengthen democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The launch, held at Reiz Continental Hotel, convened stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and youth groups, all calling for a more informed and actively engaged electorate.
In his welcome address, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, raised concerns over 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, warning that while many Nigerians value the right to vote, a significant number lack the knowledge, motivation, or trust to exercise it effectively.
Haruna explained that the manuals were developed in partnership with the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) to both educate citizens and encourage broader electoral participation, particularly among young voters.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Haruna described voter apathy as one of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s democracy. He pointed to recent election data showing a widening participation gap, where a minority determines leadership outcomes for the majority.
While reaffirming that the Electoral Act 2026 strengthens transparency through improved legal frameworks and electronic processes, the Commission stressed that legislation alone cannot resolve civic disengagement.
“An indifferent electorate is a democracy in retreat,” the keynote warned, calling for sustained and strategic civic education to rebuild public trust.
In his remarks, KDI Team Leader, Bukola Idowu, described the initiative as a strategic intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundation, rather than just a lunch of documents, calling it a strategic intervention aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
He noted that the revised manuals reflect new electoral laws, evolving technologies, and modern political realities, while the youth-focused version is specifically designed to engage young Nigerians as voters, educators, and change agents.
Idowu added that declining turnout reflects 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 only through elections but through shared values and informed citizenship. She described the initiative as timely, noting that integrating civic education into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) framework would 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 (FCDO) underscored the importance of continuous voter education in ensuring credible and inclusive elections. He noted that elections are not one-day events, but the result of ongoing civic awareness and public trust, adding that the manuals will play a critical role in equipping citizens to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
Providing further insight, INEC Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the manuals have 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 deployment of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Eta-Messi added that the manual, now structured into 11 modules, incorporates global best practices and enhanced digital engagement strategies to effectively reach Nigeria’s tech-savvy population, positioning it as a vital tool in reversing voter apathy ahead of the 2027 polls.
A major highlight of the initiative is the integration of the civic manual into the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS), positioning corps members as frontline civic educators across the country.
Stakeholders noted that this approach leverages peer-to-peer learning to promote democratic values in communities, schools, markets, and religious institutions, further strengthening citizen participation ahead of the 2027 polls.
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