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The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday called on Nigerian youths to take active leadership roles in shaping the country’s democracy. He reaffirmed the parliament’s commitment to supporting youth leadership by actively reviewing legislative frameworks to reduce the financial barriers to political participation, enhance youth representation in party structures, and create institutional pathways for youth-led civic innovation. Kalu gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 2025 CiTech Summit organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to mark the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day. He said this could be achieved through digital innovation and civic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Represented by Hon. Muktar Shagaya, the Deputy Speaker noted that the event themed: ‘Road to 2027: Leveraging Digital Innovation to deepen Citizen participation and inclusive governance’, is timely as Nigeria’s future depends on harnessing its vast digital potential to build an inclusive, transparent, and technology-driven democratic system. He lamented that despite Nigeria’s projected 103 million internet users and over 205 million active mobile connections, representing 90.7 per cent of the population, the country still struggles with significant digital inequality. The Deputy Speaker, who chairs the committee on constitution review, assured that the committee has been working assiduously to advance electoral reforms and will enact legal frameworks to provide oversight, and champion the reforms necessary to deliver a credible, digitally-enabled, and inclusive 2027 election. Kalu said: “It is with profound honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I stand before you today to deliver the keynote address at this landmark CiTechSummit 2025. As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day under the global theme “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,” we gather not just to celebrate potential, but to commit ourselves to the urgent national task of leveraging digital innovation to deepen citizen participation and build a truly inclusive democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Distinguished delegates, Nigeria is a nation of immense digital potential, with 103 million internet users, 205.4 million active mobile connections representing 90.7% of our population, and a youth demographic that comprises over 60% of our people..These numbers should position us as a continental leader in digital democracy. “Yet, we are simultaneously a nation of severe digital disparities: only 45.5% internet penetration nationally, and a staggering reality that only 23% of rural communities have internet access. This dichotomy defines our 2027 challenge. The answer lies not in technology alone, but in a comprehensive strategy that combines infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, institutional reform, human capacity development, and unwavering political will. “Permit me to speak directly to the legislative imperatives before us. As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Review, I have the distinct privilege and profound responsibility of leading one of the most consequential reform exercises in Nigeria’s democratic journey. “Our mandate is clear: to review, refine, and strengthen the constitutional and legal frameworks that govern our democracy, with particular attention to electoral integrity, federalism, gender inclusion, and institutional accountability. “The Committee has been working assiduously to advance electoral reforms. We are committed to ensuring that the Electoral Act 2025/2027, currently before the National Assembly, incorporates exactly this. These legislative reforms are urgent, actionable, and non-negotiable. “The House Committee on Constitutional Review is committed to completing this work and ensuring that these provisions are enacted into law well before the 2027 electoral cycle begins. Democracy cannot thrive on goodwill alone; it requires enforceable legal frameworks that compel compliance and punish malfeasance. “Distinguished young leaders, this summit is fundamentally about you. As digital natives, you possess the tools and the mindset to leverage technology in ways that can profoundly influence democratic processes. You have demonstrated this power through civic tech innovations and through your relentless demand for accountability. Now is the time to translate that energy into institutional power. “The National Assembly is committed to supporting youth leadership. We are actively reviewing legislative frameworks to reduce the financial barriers to political participation, enhance youth representation in party structures, and create institutional pathways for youth-led civic innovation. “Nigeria must leverage its high mobile penetration to create a low-barrier, hybrid access model for civic participation while simultaneously securing and optimising its high-stakes digital electoral infrastructure. We must transform civic tech from symbolic tracking to influential governance reform. “We must protect digital rights while securing digital systems. We must empower youth not as beneficiaries, but as architects of the democracy they will inherit. As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Review, I pledge to you that the National Assembly will do its part. “We will enact the legal frameworks, provide the oversight, and champion the reforms necessary to deliver a credible, digitally-enabled, and inclusive 2027 election. But we cannot do this alone. We need your innovation, your energy, your accountability, and your vote. The road to 2027 is not paved with wishful thinking; it is paved with strategic action, institutional reform, and collective commitment. “Let us walk this road together, leveraging digital innovation not as an end in itself, but as a means to the ultimate end: a Nigeria where every citizen, regardless of location, gender, or socioeconomic status, has a voice, a vote, and a stake in the democratic future.” ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
