The Chairman of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan has disclosed that there is lack of motivation and insufficient voter education in Nigeria. According to Channels TV; the commission noted that voter turnout in Nigeria fell from over sixty-percent in 2003 to below thirty-percent recently, blaming low motivation and poor voter education. Speaking at the launch of newly updated voter education manuals as part of the efforts to tackle voter apathy and boost participation ahead of the 2027 general elections, INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman, Mohammed Haruna, expressed concern over the steady decline in voter turnout since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999. He cited data from recent elections indicating a growing participation gap, where a small proportion of the population determines leadership outcomes for the majority. While reaffirming that the Electoral Act 2026 has strengthened transparency through improved legal frameworks and electronic processes, he stressed that legislation alone cannot address voter disengagement. In his words; "An indifferent electorate is a democracy in retreat". He called for sustained investment in civic education to rebuild public trust and participation.
The launch of the updated voter education manual is in collaboration with national and international partners, including the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI). The newly unveiled materials include a revised National Voter Education Manual and a Youth-focused Civic and Voter Education Manual designed to promote informed civic engagement, particularly among young Nigerians. INEC's Information and Voter Education Committee Chairman, Mohammed Haruna, explained that the manuals were developed in partnership with KDI to improve citizens understanding of the electoral process and encourage greater participation. The Team Leader of KDI, Mr. Bukola Idowu, described the initiative as a strategic intervention rather than a routine document launch. He said the revised manuel reflects current electoral laws, technological advancements, and evolving patterns of political participation, while the youth focused version is tailored to engage young people as 'voters, educators and agents of change'. INEC's Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs Victoria Eta-Messi, said the mannual had been comprehensively revised to align with the Electoral Act 2026. She highlighted key updates, including provisions on *party primaries, *campaign finance regulations, *electoral offences and continued deployment of *technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). She said, the updated manual is structured into eleven -(11) modules and incorporates global best practices, alongside expanded digital engagement strategies aimed at reaching Nigeria's increasingly tech-savvy population.
The LEAD Project Foundation is actively involved in Civic and Voter Education Activities in Nigeria and acts as a platform for strengthening democratic processes involving community engagement efforts.
Click on this link to read more about our activities: The LEAD Project Foundation- About Us
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