Voter Apathy: INEC Deploys Education Manuals, Targets Corps Members

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in partnership with national and international stakeholders, has unveiled updated voter education manuals as part of a renewed effort to address voter apathy and deepen democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The launch, held in Abuja yesterday, brought together representatives of government agencies, civil society groups, development partners, and youth organisations, all calling for a more informed and actively engaged electorate.

Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, in his welcome remarks, expressed concern over the steady decline in voter turnout since 1999.

He noted that participation has dropped from over 60 per cent in 2003 to below 30 per cent in recent elections, attributing the trend to a mix of voter disengagement and limited civic awareness.

According to him, the revised manuals, developed in collaboration with Kimpact Development Initiative, are designed not only to educate citizens on electoral processes but also to inspire greater participation in governance.

Delivering a keynote on behalf of the Commission, Malam Haruna warned that voter apathy remains a critical threat to Nigeria’s democracy, citing recent election data that shows a growing gap between registered voters and actual turnout.

While acknowledging improvements introduced by the Electoral Act 2026, including enhanced transparency and electronic processes, the Commission stressed that legal reforms alone cannot reverse public disengagement.

“An indifferent electorate is a democracy in decline,” the keynote noted, urging sustained investment in civic education to rebuild public trust.

Team Leader of Kimpact Development Initiative, Bukola Idowu, described the initiative as a strategic step toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture.

He explained that the updated manual reflects evolving electoral laws, emerging technologies, and current political realities, while a youth-focused version is tailored to mobilise young Nigerians as active participants and advocates of democratic values.

Representing the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Oluwakemi Afolayan underscored the importance of informed citizenship in sustaining democracy. She noted that integrating civic education into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would strengthen grassroots engagement and foster long-term civic responsibility.

Also speaking, Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro of the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office highlighted the role of continuous voter education in delivering credible and inclusive elections, stressing that electoral integrity depends on sustained public awareness and trust.

Providing an overview of the documents.

INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, said the revised manual aligns with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and incorporates key updates on party primaries, campaign finance, electoral offences, and the deployment of technologies such as BVAS.

Structured into 11 modules, the manual also integrates global best practices and expanded digital strategies aimed at reaching a broader and more tech-savvy population.

A key highlight of the initiative is the planned integration of the civic manual into the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS), positioning corps members as frontline civic educators across the country.