In the just-concluded Continuous Voter Registration, 4.4 million Nigerians registered to vote in just four weeks, with the majority being young Nigerians numbering over 2.92 million. Analysts’ reviews suggest the rise is mainly driven by the desire for change. Nigerians have traded apathy and made a decision that can impact not only their future, but that of the next generation.
But as the election approaches, the need to educate voters is even more pressing as worsening economic hardship makes many Nigerians susceptible to manipulation. Sadly, if left unaddressed, this challenge will not only affect young Nigerians, but also older citizens who may opt for immediate survival over hope for a better future. Stories of people selling their votes for a few cups of rice or a tin of tomato paste are not just abstract situations, but realities that could come back to haunt us if voters are not properly educated on the long-term impact of their decisions.
Figures indicate that the number of Nigerians who registered during the Continuous Voter Registration exercise already constitutes one-third of the total registrations recorded during the entire build-up to the 2023 election. This is a sign of Nigerians' growing willingness to participate in the upcoming election. Despite this development, campaign periods, which should be times for candidates to market their manifestos, are, in most cases, opportunities for politicians to manipulate citizens by offering material incentives like food and money to secure their votes.
The truth is, there are some Nigerians who stand their ground, but many are still manipulated through these enticing acts. The number of voters in the next election is expected to be much higher than before; hence, this calls for even greater investment in voter education. Voter education is not only a means of preventing manipulation but also a necessary guide for the people who know the leaders they want to vote for but have little or no knowledge of the electoral process. Without proper guidance, such people can easily be exploited. As the number of registered voters grows, so must voter education, in equal measure, so that there are no loopholes or excuses during the 2027 election.
When due process is followed, voters have the power to effect meaningful change. In such a case, they must be properly guided before the election so that they can make informed decisions that would not jeopardise the future of their children and communities. Yiaga Africa and many other organisations are already working to improve voter education. But beyond the efforts of these organisations, the government must also take deliberate action by sending agents to remote communities and setting up civic hubs where young people can access accurate electoral information, digital literacy support and community dialogue. Adequate funding should also be provided to ensure that these efforts are effective and sustainable.
Funding civic engagement is not simply an investment in voter turnout; it is an investment in democratic resilience, informed participation, and public trust. These interventions are not merely educational tools; they are democratic safeguards. Nigerians have already taken the bold step of registering to vote in record numbers. The question now is whether the systems around them will provide the knowledge and support needed to transform registration into meaningful democratic participation. The future of civic engagement in Nigeria may well depend on the answer.
By Adanna Omeye
