House of Representatives says young Nigerians will determine the credibility of the 2027 polls through active civic participation and informed voting
The House of Representatives has urged Nigerian Youths 2027 Elections to become a defining force in the country’s democratic future by actively participating in the electoral process, saying the credibility of the next general elections will depend largely on the choices and engagement of young voters.
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The appeal was made on Thursday during the Youth Town Hall, a flagship event of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, where lawmakers, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, youth leaders and students gathered to discuss youth inclusion, democratic accountability and nation-building.
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, the House Majority Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said the 10th House had deliberately placed youth development at the heart of its legislative agenda.
He described the annual Youth Town Hall as more than a consultation forum, saying it had evolved into an influential platform through which young Nigerians contribute directly to legislative reforms and national policymaking.
According to Ihonvbere, recommendations from previous editions have already shaped constitutional amendment proposals and other policy initiatives currently before the National Assembly.
“Many of the ideas now reflected in the ongoing constitutional amendment proposals and other national policies were shaped by contributions made during previous editions of this Town Hall. Your voices have influenced outcomes, and that is precisely why this platform remains relevant,” he said.
With political activities gradually gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the House Majority Leader said young Nigerians represent the country’s largest voting bloc and possess the capacity to influence both electoral credibility and governance.
“The quality of our elections and the future of our democracy will, to a large extent, be determined by the choices, conduct and active involvement of young Nigerians,” Ihonvbere added.
He stressed that the House remained committed to ensuring that young people become active partners in governance rather than passive recipients of government policies.
Highlighting legislative efforts aimed at expanding opportunities for youths, Ihonvbere cited the passage of the National Youth Service Corps Reform Bill, the proposed Nigerian Youth Welfare Scheme Fund Bill sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and a constitutional amendment seeking to reduce the minimum age for governorship candidates from 35 years to 30.
He also pointed to reforms in education financing, taxation, electricity, cybersecurity and the digital economy as measures intended to encourage employment, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the National Assembly for institutionalising the Youth Town Hall as a platform for direct dialogue between lawmakers and young Nigerians.
“It is very important that young Nigerians are given the space to speak, ask questions, share ideas and take part in decisions that affect their future,” Olawande said.
The minister said the Federal Government was implementing programmes designed to strengthen youth participation in governance while expanding access to vocational training, entrepreneurship support, digital skills development and affordable financing.
He listed the Nigerian Youth Academy, digital skills initiatives, youth enterprise support programmes and the proposed Youth Green Fund among interventions aimed at preparing young Nigerians for opportunities in the digital and green economies.
Also addressing participants, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, Khalil Halilu, encouraged young Nigerians to embrace innovation, technology and artificial intelligence as drivers of economic growth.
Describing innovation as critical to national competitiveness, Halilu said NASENI’s Innovate Nigeria programme provides grants of up to ₦250 million to support inventors, innovators and technology-driven enterprises.
He urged young people to continually develop practical skills capable of solving Nigeria’s development challenges while creating sustainable businesses.
The Youth Town Hall forms part of the National Assembly Open Week, an initiative introduced to improve transparency, deepen public engagement with the legislature and provide citizens with opportunities to contribute to lawmaking.
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Over the years, the programme has evolved into one of the legislature’s leading platforms for engaging young Nigerians on governance, constitutional reform and democratic participation as preparations gradually build towards the 2027 general elections.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
