MAKING DEMOCRACY DELIVER: Report of Yiaga Africa’s Turn Up Democracy Project

Post-election concerns were raised regarding potential citizen disengagement, driven by the weaponization of ethnic and religious divisions during campaigns. This highlighted the critical need for electoral reforms. The Turn Up Democracy project was established to address these issues by promoting civic engagement and fostering collaboration between citizens and elected representatives, with a focus on citizen-centered governance. This initiative was driven by widespread public discontent with political elites and aimed to enhance democratic participation, particularly among youth, through innovative programs. By conducting independent audits of voter registers and establishing Local Government Area (LGA) People’s Assemblies, the project sought to address governance gaps and develop an informed electorate.

Nigeria’s political economy plays a significant role in shaping civic engagement, with clientelism and limited access to reliable political information historically marginalizing ordinary citizens. The Turn Up Democracy project recognized these systemic challenges and aimed to dismantle them through targeted interventions that empowered citizens to demand accountability from their leaders. By leveraging technology and grassroots mobilization, the project created platforms for open dialogue between citizens and policymakers, fostering greater responsiveness to local needs and priorities.

Youth participation in the democratic process is particularly important in Nigeria, where a significant portion of the population is under 30 years old. The Turn Up Democracy project tapped into this demographic by promoting youth-led initiatives, such as the Turn Up Democracy Challenge, which encouraged young leaders to identify and solve local governance challenges.