Nigeria's youth and academia warn of weak governance ahead of 2027 elections

Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, young activists highlighted declining public trust in democratic institutions, barriers to women’s political participation, and the need for stronger civic education. At the Caustival 2026 festival in Abuja, participants discussed digital violence against women, cultural norms limiting leadership opportunities, and disrupted a mock voting exercise to illustrate electoral vulnerabilities.

Separately, scholars and civil‑society groups warned that the under‑representation of academics in political leadership fuels weak governance and policy inconsistency. At the 2026 Democracy Day Discourse, academics argued that universities should serve as idea‑generating labs for national development and called for greater academic involvement in decision‑making, citing high nomination fees and political godfatherism as barriers.

Both gatherings called for deeper citizen engagement, stronger institutions, and inclusive reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic future.