INEC INVESTS NEW YOUTH AMBASSADORS, CHARGES THEM TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL AND INFORMED PARTICIPATION
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has inaugurated a new cohort of Youth Ambassadors as part of efforts to strengthen its engagement with young Nigerians and promote informed, peaceful and responsible participation in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The investiture ceremony brought together National Commissioners, senior officials of the Commission, representatives of government agencies, development partners, returning Youth Ambassadors and the newly selected ambassadors.
Welcoming participants, the Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), Prof. Kunle Ajayi, described the initiative as an important platform for strengthening the relationship between the Commission and young Nigerians, one of the most important constituencies in Nigeria's electoral process.
Prof. Ajayi said the appointment of the Youth Ambassadors was not merely the conferment of a title but a mandate carrying responsibility. He urged the ambassadors to use their influence to strengthen electoral participation, promote peaceful conduct and ensure that young Nigerians have access to accurate information about the electoral process.
Representing the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, at the ceremony, National Commissioner Prof. Rhoda Gumus said the Commission recognised the leadership, influence and capacity of the new Youth Ambassadors to engage other young Nigerians.
She said Nigeria's large youth population had significant implications for democracy and elections, adding that the numerical strength of young Nigerians could only become meaningful when matched by informed, organised and responsible participation.
Prof. Gumus urged the ambassadors to go beyond simply encouraging young Nigerians to vote and instead listen to the reasons for disengagement from the electoral process, including lack of information, distrust, political frustration, previous experiences and misunderstanding of electoral procedures.
She also charged them to help address misinformation and disinformation, particularly on social media, urging them to adopt the principle: “Verify before you amplify.”
The INEC representative warned against the manipulation of young people for electoral violence, stressing that young Nigerians recruited into violent activities often become victims through death, injuries, arrest and the destruction of their future.
“Do not allow anyone to use your youth against your future,” she said, adding that political competition should never require young Nigerians to fight, destroy or kill one another.
She further encouraged the ambassadors to promote constructive engagement between young voters, political parties and candidates by encouraging young Nigerians to ask questions about issues affecting their lives, including employment, education, security, economic opportunities and skills development.
The Director, Gender and Inclusivity Department, Mrs. Lakunuya Dorothy, gave a strategic overview of the INEC Youth Ambassador Initiative, highlighting its purpose, selection process and expected roles of the ambassadors.
She explained that the initiative was designed to provide the Commission with credible youth voices capable of reaching young Nigerians through their communities, networks and various platforms.
The Deputy Director, Inclusivity, Mrs. Habiba Jatto, spoke on the objectives of the meeting, emphasising the need to strengthen the understanding of the ambassadors about their responsibilities and improve the connection between INEC and young Nigerians.
The goodwill message on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Emmanuel Olawande, was delivered by Mrs. Lami Bature, Deputy Director, Network and Social Mobilisation Department.
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government's commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development, human capital advancement and the creation of opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He described the appointment of the Youth Ambassadors as both an honour and a call to service, urging them to inspire their peers, promote electoral awareness, encourage peaceful participation and uphold transparency, accountability, integrity and respect for the rule of law.
The Minister also encouraged the ambassadors to educate Nigerians on voter registration, collection of Permanent Voter Cards where applicable, peaceful conduct during elections and informed electoral participation. He charged them to help combat misinformation and disinformation, reject electoral violence and vote buying, and promote tolerance for differing political opinions.
The Director, Civic Values and Democracy Education, Mrs. Olufemi Afolayan, represented the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) at the ceremony.
The NOA representative commended the initiative and emphasised the importance of civic education, democratic values and responsible citizenship in strengthening Nigeria's democracy.
The participation of INEC, the Ministry of Youth Development and the National Orientation Agency underscored the importance of collaboration among public institutions in promoting youth participation, civic awareness and democratic development.
The Youth Ambassadors were encouraged to use social media, community engagement, education, entertainment, sports, entrepreneurship and other youth-oriented platforms to make electoral information more accessible and relevant to young Nigerians.
Prof. Gumus also reminded the ambassadors that their responsibility extends beyond election day, noting that young Nigerians can contribute to the electoral process as election officials, observers, volunteers, elected representatives and responsible citizens.
She urged them to serve as a two-way bridge between INEC and young Nigerians by taking the Commission's messages to their peers while also bringing the concerns, questions and experiences of young people back to the Commission.
The ambassadors, she stressed, are not expected to defend INEC against legitimate criticism, as democracy allows citizens to question institutions. Rather, their responsibility is to encourage informed criticism, peaceful disagreement and responsible political participation.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Election, the Commission continues to strengthen its engagement with young Nigerians and other stakeholders to promote an informed, peaceful and inclusive electoral process.
The newly inaugurated Youth Ambassadors were therefore challenged to make their voices useful, their platforms responsible and their influence constructive in the period leading to the 2027 General Election and beyond.
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