ActionAid Nigeria, in partnership with the Inspired Youth Network, has called on young Nigerians to play a more active role in promoting transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility at the grassroots level.
The call was made during a youth engagement forum held in Lagos under the Strategic Partnership Agreement Project, which brought together young people, civil society organisations, persons with disabilities (PWDs), community representatives, and local government stakeholders.
Blessing Ifemenam, Programme Advisor at ActionAid Nigeria, said the initiative was designed to encourage young people to participate more actively in local governance beyond the ballot box.
She urged youths to monitor government expenditure, track public projects, and demand transparency in the management of public resources.
“We want to ensure that young people’s priorities are included in government plans, budgets, and the entire governance process. Young people should question how public funds are being used and whether projects truly meet community needs,” Ifemenam said.
Ifemenam noted that ActionAid Nigeria has, for more than a decade, supported young people through capacity-building initiatives in governance, budget monitoring, civic engagement, and advocacy.
Also speaking was Programmes Manager Oluwatoyin Adejokun of Inspired Youth Network, designed to deepen youths’ understanding of fiscal governance, particularly in light of the financial autonomy granted to local governments.
She said limited public awareness of local government revenue generation and expenditure often weakens citizens’ ability to demand accountability.
“Our goal is to ensure that young people’s priorities are reflected in local government planning. While the government may prioritise roads, young people may consider job creation, climate action, and inclusive service delivery more urgent,” Adejokun said.
She added that participants would be supported to engage local authorities, monitor commitments, and follow up on agreed actions within their communities.
Executive Director of Truly Verified Africa, Ruhamah Ifere, stressed the importance of civic education and digital advocacy in strengthening youth participation in governance.
According to her, many young Nigerians lack sufficient knowledge of governance policies, the Freedom of Information Act, and the responsibilities of elected officials, which limits their ability to demand accountability.
The forum also highlighted the need to leverage traditional and digital media to equip young people with the information and tools required for effective engagement with government institutions.
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The 2025 State of the Nigerian Youth publication by ActionAid Nigeria underscored the importance of greater youth inclusion in decision-making, noting that nearly 70 per cent of Nigerians are below the age of 35.
Participants expressed optimism that stronger collaboration among youths, civil society organisations, and local authorities would enhance transparency, improve service delivery, and ensure that community priorities are reflected in government budgets and development plans.
