Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The YouthGovTracka initiative was launched in July 2023 by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) to bridge the gap between Nigerian state governors and the youth population, promoting transparency and accountability in governance. BBYDI, a nonpartisan and youth-led organization founded in 2014, focuses on fostering good governance, civic engagement, and sustainable communities in Nigeria. The need for YouthGovTracka arose from a significant challenge in Nigeria’s democracy: the frequent gap between political campaign promises and their actual fulfillment, undermining public trust. A study by the Department of Political Science at Ekiti State University identified unfulfilled promises as a persistent issue in Nigerian politics, making it crucial to engage citizens, especially the youth, in holding leaders accountable.
PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
YouthGovTracka is an innovative web platform that tracks the campaign promises of Nigeria’s 36 state governors, providing real-time updates on their fulfillment. The platform, accessible at www.youthgovtracka.org, allows citizens, particularly youth, to monitor progress, engage in discussions, and advocate for good governance. The initiative also involves a network of 36 Youth Focal Points, known as Youth State Champions, who are trained in research, advocacy, and data collection to track the promises, engage communities, and interact with government officials. Key activities include the development of the “Office of the Citizen Toolkit”, regional town hall meetings, and social media campaigns to enhance civic participation and demand accountability. YouthGovTracka also utilizes traditional media by producing jingles and hosting live radio shows to amplify its message on government accountability.
ENABLING FACTORS
Strong Community Engagement: The initiative’s foundation in grassroots involvement, through state champions and local communities, fostered deep connections and trust between the youth and the government.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Partnerships with organizations like the Youth Democracy Cohort and European Partnership for Democracy provided financial and technical support for platform development, while strategic collaboration with local and national media expanded outreach.
Digital Innovation: The use of a user-friendly web platform for tracking campaign promises, along with social media campaigns, facilitated wide participation among the tech-savvy youth demographic.
Effective Media Strategy: The production and broadcast of jingles and live radio shows helped reach audiences in diverse regions, ensuring that both urban and rural youth were informed and engaged.
IMPACT
- Youth Mobilization: The platform has engaged millions of youth through social media campaigns, generating over 27 million impressions on Facebook and 11 million on X. This reach has raised awareness of governance issues and motivated youth to participate actively in democratic processes.
- Government Accountability: The initiative has fostered dialogue between youth and government officials, encouraging increased responsiveness and transparency. Many previously unresponsive ministries have begun to engage with the youth, reflecting a shift in attitudes toward youth involvement in governance.
- Capacity Building: Through the Youth State Champions, YouthGovTracka has trained and empowered 36 youth leaders to advocate for accountability and engage with state governors, creating a new generation of civic leaders in Nigeria.
- Regional Impact: The initiative’s regional town hall meetings and debate competitions have cultivated interest in governance and policy discourse among youth across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, fostering informed and active citizenship.
Overall, YouthGovTracka has contributed to enhancing democratic engagement, improving governance transparency, and empowering youth in Nigeria. The success of the initiative illustrates the critical role that youth-led platforms can play in holding governments accountable and driving positive change. The continued success of this project underscores the importance of scaling up such initiatives to create lasting civic transformation.
💪 Supported by the Youth Democracy Cohort
⚡ Powered by the European Union 🇪🇺
