Abuja: The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has called on Nigerian youths to take active leadership roles in shaping the country’s democracy. This, he said, could be achieved through digital innovation and civic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Kalu made the call at the opening of the 2025 CiTech Summit organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to mark the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme for the 2025 celebration is ‘Youth Empowerment through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Skills.’ The summit had as its theme: ‘The road to 2027; leveraging on AI and digital innovation to deepen participation of citizen and inclusive governance.’ Kalu emphasized that Nigeria’s future depended on harnessing its vast digital potential to build an inclusive, transparent, and technology-driven democratic system.
Kalu highlighted the challenge posed by digital inequality in Nigeria despite having 103 million internet users and over 205 million active mobile connections, representing 90.7 percent of the population. He pointed out that only 45.5 percent of Nigerians have internet access nationally, with rural areas having just 23 percent access. “This dichotomy defines our 2027 challenge: how do we build an inclusive, digitally enabled democracy when more than half of our citizens remain digitally excluded?” he asked.
Kalu stressed the need for strategic action, institutional reform, and collective commitment to pave the way to 2027, leveraging digital innovation not as an end but as a means to an inclusive democratic future. He called for a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of location, gender, or socioeconomic status, has a voice, a vote, and a stake in the democratic future.
The deputy speaker also noted the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting young people in taking up leadership positions. He mentioned that they are actively reviewing legislative frameworks to reduce financial barriers to political participation, enhance youth representation in party structures, and create pathways for youth-led civic innovation.
Kalu further urged youths to use digital platforms for creation rather than consumption, build civic tech tools to track government projects, monitor budgets, expose corruption, propose solutions, run for office, support candidates who share their values, vote, and hold leaders accountable. “Democracy is not a spectator sport; it requires your active, sustained, and strategic participation,” he said.
Prof. Abubakar Suliaman, Director-General of NILDS, encouraged youths to think boldly about the role of technology in enhancing their participation in governance. He urged them to challenge the status quo, break down barriers to inclusion, and work together to build an inclusive, forward-looking democratic system.
Mr. Yusuf Laidi, founder of ILEAD Africa, called the theme a call to action to reimagine citizen engagement, build trust in governance, and empower young people. He emphasized the need to move beyond retrograde to innovation as the country approaches the critical 2027 election cycle, turning technology into a tool for transparency and accountability.