GGA-Nigeria, Stakeholders Advocate Collaborative Governance to Deepen Youth Participation

Good Governance Africa through its Nigeria office (GGA-Nigeria) has called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, civil society organisations, and young people to deepen citizen-owned accountability and improve governance outcomes across Nigeria.

The call was made during the 2026 edition of the Youth Advocates for Good Governance (YAGG) Webinar themed “Strengthening Citizen-Owned Accountability between Youth and Government.”

The virtual event brought together policymakers, civic actors, technology experts, researchers, and youth advocates to discuss governance, digital inclusion, accountability, and civic participation.
Speaking during the opening session, the Executive Director of GGA-Nigeria, Dr. Oladiran Bello, described governance as a collective responsibility that requires collaboration, engagement, and active citizen participation.

According to him, young people possess the energy, innovation, and technological understanding needed to strengthen governance systems and improve public accountability.

He stressed that governance must move beyond being seen as a government-only responsibility, adding that citizens, especially young people, must be recognised as legitimate stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Bello also challenged participants and organisations present at the webinar to move beyond conversations and begin developing practical collaborative initiatives capable of improving governance outcomes across Africa.

“We must begin to ask ourselves how we can work together more meaningfully. Collaboration may be difficult, but it remains one of the strongest tools for improving governance and amplifying impact,” he said.

Moderating the session, Adejumo Kabir, Senior Researcher at GGA-Nigeria, explained that the pan-African non-governmental organisation has consistently engaged young people through its Youth Advocates for Good Governance (YAGG) initiative and other civic education programmes aimed at promoting informed citizenship and practical engagement beyond election periods.

According to him, governance affects everyday issues such as education, healthcare, employment, entrepreneurship, security, and technology, making it important for young Nigerians to remain engaged throughout the year and not only during elections.

One of the panelists, Tomide Akinribido, Executive Chairman of Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA), spoke on the importance of digital technology in improving civic participation and accountability.

Akinribido explained that technology has created direct channels for communication between citizens and government through social media engagement, digital town halls, electronic petitions, open budgeting systems, and online public service platforms.

He disclosed that SITA had trained over 500 young people in digital skills development and was preparing another programme targeting 2,000 youths in remote work opportunities, digital literacy, and technology innovation.

The former lawmaker also argued that youth participation should not be measured by temporary social media activism alone but by measurable institutional frameworks that ensure consistent inclusion in governance processes.

According to him, government institutions should develop participatory budgeting applications and digital civic engagement systems that would allow more citizens, especially young people, to contribute directly to policy and budget discussions.

On accountability and citizen engagement, researcher and media development expert Ijeoma Okereke, said citizen-owned accountability requires sustained participation by communities and citizens beyond election seasons.

She described accountability as a continuous process driven by citizens themselves and not merely by external organisations or election-related activities.

Drawing from her experience in civic accountability projects, Okereke explained how community-driven advocacy and media engagement contributed to the restoration of a neglected healthcare facility in Akwa Ibom State after years of abandonment.

She identified poor access to public information, intimidation of civic actors, and limited civic education as major challenges facing young Nigerians attempting to hold public institutions accountable.

She also warned about the dangers of misinformation and politically manipulated digital content ahead of elections, urging citizens to verify information before sharing it online.

Similarly, investigative journalist with Premium Times, Folashade Ogunrinde called for stronger media literacy and ethical digital engagement among young Nigerians.

She warned that while technology has democratised access to information and broadcasting tools, many social media users and citizen journalists often fail to observe professional ethics, leading to the spread of misinformation and fake news.

According to her, the rise of artificial intelligence and manipulated digital content has made it more important for citizens to verify information sources and understand the consequences of misinformation.

Adding another perspective to the conversation, Olalekan Biliamin Oba, Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Social Development, stressed the need to examine the evolution of citizen engagement in Nigeria from the pre-telecommunication era to the present digital age.

He noted that social media and digital platforms have significantly improved communication between government and citizens, making it easier for individuals to call public attention to societal issues requiring government intervention.

He explained that although some engagement channels may appear informal, digital communication has increasingly pressured authorities to respond to public concerns more quickly, citing the activities of the Lagos State Office of Civic Engagement and the regular town hall meetings organised across the state as examples of structured government-citizen engagement mechanisms.

According to him, the Lagos State Government has deliberately encouraged youth participation through its THEMES+ agenda, particularly the “plus” component, which focuses on social inclusion, gender equality, and youth development.

The webinar also featured contributions from participants across Africa, including Stanley Baloi from Limpopo Province, South Africa, who expressed interest in future collaboration with GGA.

Another participant, Zakiya Fareed from African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions for English-speaking Africa (AFROSAI-E), raised concern about low citizen participation outside election periods and called for more innovative ways of sustaining youth interest in governance and accountability conversations.

Responding to the concern, speakers emphasised the importance of continuous civic education, policy engagement platforms, mentorship opportunities, community initiatives, and practical youth-focused programmes capable of connecting governance issues to the everyday realities of young people.

At the close of the webinar, Bello reaffirmed GGA’s commitment to strengthening youth engagement across Africa through practical partnerships, policy conversations, and capacity-building initiatives.