In this week’s issue, we break down INEC’s latest update on the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), where over 2.6 million Nigerians, many of them young, have signed up in just two weeks. We also spotlight Anambra, where 2.8 million voters are on the register ahead of the November 8 governorship election. Plus, ANSIEC has already...
Are you a tech innovator, digital solution provider, or civic tech enthusiast committed to combating disinformation and amplifying citizen voices—especially those of women—in democratic processes? The Digital Democracy Exhibition is now open for applications from individuals, startups, and organizations in Accra, Ghana developing technological tools and innovations that enhance civic engagement, counter disinformation, and promote...
This Week on The Ballot: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reported that 1.37 million Nigerians completed online pre-registration within the first week of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), with young people and women making up the majority. While INEC described the surge as consistent with past trends, opposition parties including the PDP, LP, ADC,...
About the program Yiaga Africa, in partnership with WILAN Global and the Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) West Africa and with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), is excited to announce the ‘Young Women in Politics Organising Lab’ a leadership and organizing bootcamp designed to mobilize and support young women in...
The credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections may depend heavily on who are the new leaders appointed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This formed the backdrop of the roundtable convened in Abuja by Yiaga Africa, with support from the European Union. The dialogue brought together civil society leaders, academics, and former electoral commissioners...
In a room buzzing with energy, accents from across West Africa bounced off the walls. From Sierra Leone’s gentle sing-song to Ghana’s British-infused diction, the 12th edition of Yiaga Africa’s Community Organizing Institute (COI) felt less like a conference and more like a reunion of destiny-shapers. This wasn’t just any gathering. It was a convergence...
Safiya Bichi is an ardent researcher and data specialist committed to advancing democratic governance and civic participation in Nigeria. She combines analytical expertise with advocacy for inclusion, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking. She is the Head of Knowledge Management and Learning Department at Yiaga Africa. The Future of Voter Registration in Nigeria: Why Blockchain Matters –...
The debate over governance and accountability took centre stage this week as the Federal Government’s plan to increase salaries of political office holders sparked sharp criticism from opposition voices and citizens who described it as insensitive amid widespread economic hardship. While the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission defended the proposal as overdue, parties like...
It’s been an action-packed week in Nigeria’s political and electoral space. Yiaga Africa pulled policy makers, election officials, and experts into one room in Abuja to talk early and inmate voting, because voting shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for those with a free Saturday. INEC is also in go-mode ahead of this Saturday’s by-elections in...
In a bid to ensure no eligible Nigerian is denied the right to vote, Yiaga Africa convened a high-level technical workshop on Early Voting and Inmate Voting yesterday, August 14, 2025, IN Abuja. The meeting brought together top officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), the National Assembly, security...
