INEC Reaffirms Commitment to Youth Inclusion, Urges Participation in CVR

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to youth inclusion, calling on young Nigerians to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise and future elections.

INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, gave the assurance during a Community Development Service (CDS) project initiated by a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Magaji Ndagi, currently serving with the commission. The initiative is aimed at enhancing youth participation in the CVR process.

Haruna, who also serves as Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), underscored the importance of youth involvement in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. He noted that a credible voters’ register remains the foundation of free, fair, and credible elections, adding that the CVR exercise is being conducted in phases in accordance with legal provisions.

According to him, 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 said.

Haruna commended the initiative by Ndagi, describing it as a strong demonstration of youth-driven commitment to national development.

“I first met the corps member a few months ago when he came to my office to share his idea on mobilising young people for participation in the CVR exercise. He struck me as a serious young man full of initiative,” he added.

He also highlighted the longstanding partnership between INEC and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), noting that corps members have played a vital role in election conduct since 2011.

The Director-General of NYSC, Olakunle Nafiu, represented by Mrs Anyaogu Maureen, commended the convener, describing him as a model of youth commitment to nation-building. He urged young Nigerians to take advantage of the CVR exercise and actively participate in elections.

“Votes do count, and exercising your civic right is taking charge of the future of this country,” Nafiu stated.

Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, represented by his Senior Technical Adviser, Dr Obinna Ebirim, described the initiative as timely and in line with national priorities on youth inclusion.

“Democracy does not thrive on silence. It flourishes when citizens actively participate in shaping the leadership and direction of their country,” he said, urging youths to move beyond online activism to active civic engagement.

The Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, represented by Mrs Dorothy Bello, reiterated INEC’s commitment to inclusive electoral processes. She noted that the CVR exercise provides a gateway for civic participation and empowers citizens, particularly young people, to influence governance.

“The youth demographic plays a crucial role in the electoral process. However, many remain unregistered or disengaged. This is not just a missed opportunity but a risk to our democracy,” she said.

Oriaran-Anthony identified sustained civic education, improved access to registration centres, and tackling misinformation as key strategies for increasing youth participation in the CVR process.

Earlier, the convener of the programme, Magaji Ndagi, described the initiative as a call to action for Nigerian youths to take ownership of their future through active participation in the democratic process.

“CVR is more than just a process of getting a voter’s card. It is about giving yourself a voice and taking responsibility for the leadership and direction of our country,” he said.

The event featured the unveiling of a magazine aimed at promoting awareness and deepening youth engagement in electoral processes. It also included lectures by senior INEC officials and an interactive session that provided participants with deeper insights into the CVR process and the importance of active citizenship.