In the face of pressing challenges and despite several efforts to address our multidimensional challenges as a country, the political class seemingly always resort to “politicking” and “manipulation”. Despite several recommendations and policy framework adopted in the past, very few credible reforms have been made amid the growing economic stress, political uncertainty, and persistent violent conflicts. As a new administration assumes the mantle of leadership (pending the outcome of the litigation issues surrounding the 2023 General Elections), how can ordinary Nigerians mainstream the right conversations and foster governance based on critical issues?
The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria and Young Professionals in Policy and Development (YouPaD) organized a two-hours interdisciplinary public policy conversation on “Issue-Based Governance: How Ordinary Nigerians Can Mainstream the Right Conversations.” The conversation, which was hosted on 26 May 2023, gathered over eighty (80) experts and young professionals under the #AgoraByYouPaD Public Policy Series, to brainstorm and discuss on how Nigerians can facilitate Issue-Based Governance, by leading the right conversations.
Nigerians especially young people have witnessed a longstanding marginalization, disenfranchisement and underrepresentation in governance for decades. This is often the case in most parts of the world, particularly across low and middle-income countries but the ratio of under-representation of young people in Nigeria is unprecedentedly high. Young people are often left out of key decision-making processes. Meanwhile, in many cases, the younger generation are better positioned and more knowledgeable, equipped, and prepared to address the fast-rising issues of today’s world, caused by globalization, and development.
With an approximated 60 percent of its people under the age of 25 years old, Nigeria and indeed Africa has the youngest population in the world but has the least representation of young people in government. This fundamental disconnect between policymakers and the youth amplifies problems and has limited the economic growth and development of the region. The repeated calls for change seem to have been ignored over the years, and policymakers have rarely taken any proactive measure to correct the longstanding menace. Thereby leaving much of the youth-bulge with old leadership and institutions that are unable to take any meaningful actions to address the issues most relevant to young people.
Some of the key elements of Issue-based governance identified during the discussion are:
With the recent inauguration of new leaders in Nigeria, these timely conversations set the tone to renew the hope of young activists while stirring them up to actively participate in leading the change they so desire. This series was moderated by Mercy Ohamuche, Head of Operations, The Electricity Hub, while Friday Odeh, Country Director, Accountability Lab and Joy Oballum, Senior Consultant, Oxford Policy Management served as lead discussants.
The discussion ended with the screening of the movie “Katera of the Punishment Island”. The participants noted that proper teamwork/ partnerships, issue – based conversations, proper training, approaching development with the right tools and relentlessness were themes identified from the movie.
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