The House of Representatives has called on Nigerian youths to play a decisive role in shaping the country’s democratic future by actively participating in the 2027 general elections
The House of Representatives has called on Nigerian youths to play a decisive role in shaping the country’s democratic future by actively participating in the 2027 general elections, saying the strength and credibility of Nigeria’s democracy will depend largely on the engagement and choices of young citizens.
The appeal was made during the Youth Town Hall, one of the flagship events of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja last week. The forum brought together lawmakers, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, youth leaders and students to discuss strategies for deepening youth participation in governance, democratic accountability and nation-building.
Representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, the House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the 10th House had made youth inclusion, leadership and development a central pillar of its legislative agenda.
He described the Youth Town Hall as more than a discussion platform, noting that it has become an institutional avenue through which young Nigerians contribute to policymaking and legislative reforms.
According to Ihonvbere, several proposals currently being considered under the ongoing constitutional amendment process and other national policy initiatives were inspired by recommendations made during previous editions of the Youth Town Hall.
“Many of the ideas now reflected in the ongoing constitutional amendment proposals and other national policies were shaped by contributions made during previous editions of this Town Hall. Your voices have influenced outcomes, and that is precisely why this platform remains relevant,” he said.
Highlighting youth-focused legislative efforts of the House, Ihonvbere cited the passage of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Reform Bill, the proposed Nigerian Youth Welfare Scheme Fund bill sponsored by Speaker Abbas, and the constitutional amendment bill seeking to reduce the minimum age for governorship candidates from 35 to 30 years.
He also referenced reforms in education financing, taxation, electricity, cybersecurity and the digital economy, describing them as measures designed to expand opportunities for innovation, employment and economic empowerment for young Nigerians.
With political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections already gathering pace, the majority leader described young people as the country’s largest voting bloc and a critical force in determining the credibility of future elections.
“The quality of our elections and the future of our democracy will, to a large extent, be determined by the choices, conduct and active involvement of young Nigerians,” he stated.
He reaffirmed the House’s commitment to ensuring that young Nigerians become active participants in governance rather than passive recipients of government policies.
According to him, the House has deliberately pursued legislation aimed at improving access to quality education, strengthening digital literacy, promoting entrepreneurship, encouraging innovation and modernising institutions capable of generating sustainable employment opportunities for millions of youths.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the National Assembly for institutionalising the Youth Town Hall, describing it as a landmark initiative that has strengthened engagement between young people and the legislature.
He observed that previous administrations had created a disconnect between youths and public institutions but said the current administration was working to bridge that gap through inclusive governance and continuous dialogue.
“It is very important that young Nigerians are given the space to speak, ask questions, share ideas and take part in decisions that affect their future,” the minister said.
Olawande disclosed that the Ministry of Youth Development has established several platforms to facilitate direct interaction between government and young citizens while implementing programmes focused on entrepreneurship, vocational training, digital skills development and access to affordable financing.
He listed the Nigerian Youth Academy, digital skills programmes, youth enterprise support initiatives and the proposed Youth Green Fund as key interventions aimed at preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in the expanding digital and green economies.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Suleiman Halilu, urged young Nigerians to embrace innovation, technology and artificial intelligence as drivers of national development and global competitiveness.
Halilu argued that innovation, rather than natural resources, would determine the future prosperity of nations, revealing that NASENI’s Innovate Nigeria programme offers grants of up to ₦250 million to support innovators, inventors and technology-driven enterprises.
He encouraged youths to continuously acquire new skills and develop practical solutions capable of addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Yiaga Africa urged young Nigerians to move beyond conversations and demonstrate sustained civic engagement before, during and after the 2027 elections.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, a representative encouraged eligible youths to register to vote, participate actively in the electoral process, reject misinformation, violence and hate speech, and hold elected officials accountable based on performance, integrity and issues rather than ethnic or personality considerations.
Yiaga Africa, which supports the Youth Town Hall through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Programme, also commended the National Assembly for promoting transparency, openness and citizen participation through the annual National Assembly Open Week.
