Stakeholders call for active citizens’ engagements ahead 2027

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, civil society organisations and other stakeholders have called for active citizens’ engagements and participation towards strengthening Nigeria’s democratic governance and national development. They made the call in Abuja during a seminar organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Alumni Association of Nigeria (JAAN) with the theme: “Citizen Engagement: […]

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, civil society organisations and other stakeholders have called for active citizens’ engagements and participation towards strengthening Nigeria’s democratic governance and national development.

They made the call in Abuja during a seminar organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Alumni Association of Nigeria (JAAN) with the theme: “Citizen Engagement: Bridging Gaps in Nigeria.”

President of JAAN, Ahmed Agberankhe, in his address, said, across Nigeria, there is a growing understanding that governance cannot succeed without meaningful citizens’ participation, adding that policies, programmes and reforms achieve lasting impact only when citizens are informed, engaged and empowered to to contribute to decisions that shape their communities.

He lamented the disconnect between policy intentions and grassroots realities; public resources and public outcomes; institutional authority and civic trust, adding that bridging the gap requires deliberate collaboration, open dialogue, inclusive frameworks and a culture of shared responsibility.

According to him, the future of Nigeria depends not solely on institutions, but on the strength of collaboration between government and citizens.

In his address, JICA Chief Representative, Ishigame Keiji, said good governance is not merely a slogan but the foundation for sustainable development, economic growth, social justice, and public trust. 

He said governance must go beyond policies and paperwork but must result in improved service delivery, stronger institutions, and measurable impact in the lives of our people. 

In his lead presentation on the theme of the seminar, Prof Aku Ambrose of the International Institute of Journalism, identified lack of visionary political leadership as the main reason for Nigeria’s underdevelopment, adding that “everything rises and falls on leadership.”