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INEC: New Voter Education Manuals Signal Fresh Push To Boost Participation Ahead Of 2027 Polls

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New Voter Education Manuals

INEC: New Voter Education Manuals Signal Fresh Push To Boost Participation Ahead Of 2027 Polls

New voter education manuals. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), alongside key national and international partners, has launched the updated National Voter Education Manual and a youth-focused Civic and Voter Education Manual, in a renewed push to tackle voter apathy and strengthen democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The event, held at Reiz Continental Hotel, brought together stakeholders from government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and youth groups, in their call for a more informed and engaged electorate.

In his welcome address, Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, highlighted the steady decline in voter turnout since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

He noted that participation has dropped from over 60% in 2003 to below 30% in recent elections, stressing that while Nigerians may take the right to vote for granted, many lack the knowledge or motivation to exercise it effectively.

Haruna explained that the manuals were developed in collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) to both educate citizens and encourage greater electoral participation.

Delivering the keynote on behalf of INEC Chairman
Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, National Commissioner Malam Haruna warned that voter apathy remains one of the biggest threats to Nigeria’s democracy.

He pointed to data from recent elections showing a widening participation gap, where a minority determines leadership for the majority.

The Commission reaffirmed that the Electoral Act 2026 strengthens transparency through improved legal frameworks and electronic processes but emphasized that laws alone cannot solve disengagement.
“An indifferent electorate is a democracy in retreat,” the keynote stressed, calling for sustained civic education to rebuild trust and participation.

In his remarks, Bukola Idowu, Team Leader of KDI, described the launch as more than a presentation of documents, calling it a strategic intervention to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
He noted that the revised manual reflects new electoral laws, evolving technologies, and the realities of modern political participation, while the youth-friendly version is tailored to engage young Nigerians as voters, educators, and change agents.
Idowu stressed that declining turnout signals deeper issues of trust and awareness, which the initiative seeks to address through accessible and practical civic education tools.

Representing the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Oluwakemi Afolayan emphasized that democracy is sustained not just through elections, but through values and informed citizenship.
She described the initiative as timely, noting that embedding civic education within the National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) framework will deepen grassroots engagement and create long-term impact.
“An informed electorate is the strongest defence against voter apathy, misinformation, and electoral violence,” she said.

Also speaking, Dr. Matthew Ayibakuro of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office underscored the importance of sustained voter education in ensuring credible and inclusive elections.
He noted that elections are not one-day events but the outcome of continuous civic awareness and public trust, adding that the manuals will play a vital role in equipping citizens to participate meaningfully.

New Voter Education Manuals

New Voter Education Manuals

Providing an overview, Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity at INEC, explained that the manual has been comprehensively revised to align with the Electoral Act 2026.

She highlighted key updates, including changes to party primaries, campaign finance regulations, electoral offences, and the continued use of technologies like BVAS.
The manual, now structured into 11 modules, also incorporates global best practices and expanded digital engagement strategies to reach Nigeria’s tech-savvy population.

A major highlight of the launch is the integration of the civic manual into the NYSC Community Development Service (CDS), positioning corps members as frontline civic educators nationwide.

Stakeholders said this approach leverages peer-to-peer learning to spread democratic values across communities, schools, markets, and religious institutions.
Kimpact Global

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University of Uyo Seeks Anti-Corruption Alliance With ICPC

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UniUyo

University of Uyo Seeks Anti-Corruption Alliance With ICPC

In a decisive move to fortify ethical governance within academic circles, the management of the University of Uyo paid a high-level courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom State Office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), signaling a renewed institutional resolve to combat corruption from the ground up.
Eereporter.com

Leading the delegation, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Christopher N. Ekong, accompanied by key members of his team, formally called on the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC) for Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, Mr. Baba Alaro Shuaib to support the University Anti-Corruption efforts.

During the engagement, Professor Ekong articulated the University’s unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of transparency, probity, and accountability across all levels of the institution.

He underscored the visit as a strategic step to deepen collaborative ties with the Commission, while specifically soliciting technical support for comprehensive sensitisation programmes aimed at both students and staff.

“We are here to build a robust partnership that will insulate our community from the scourge of corrupt practices. The University of Uyo stands ready to be a beacon of integrity, and we believe the ICPC is an indispensable ally in that mission,” Professor Ekong stated.

In his response, Mr. Shuaib lauded the Vice Chancellor’s proactive leadership, describing tertiary institutions as pivotal gatekeepers in the national anti-graft crusade.

He assured the delegation of the Commission’s full backing, emphasising that educational environments are fertile grounds for cultivating long-term ethical reform.

Also in attendance were the Commission’s Second-in-Command, Mr. Ebenezer Olamiku, alongside other senior ICPC officers. The University’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Iniobong Uko, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude for the warm reception and the Commission’s evident enthusiasm for the proposed partnership.

UniUyo

UniUyo

The meeting, which comprised twelve participants in total, concluded with both parties agreeing to map out a structured framework for joint anti-corruption initiatives, including workshops, policy reviews, and student outreach programmes.

This developing alliance marks a significant milestone in the University of Uyo’s administrative ethos, reinforcing its dedication to producing not only academically excellent graduates but also morally upright citizens.
Eereporter.com

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IGP Disu Holds Strategic Meeting With Benue Stakeholders, Pledges Intensified Security

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Benue

IGP Disu Holds Strategic Meeting With Benue Stakeholders, Pledges Intensified Security

As part of his efforts to strengthen regional stability, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Riliwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, paid an official working visit to the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, culminating in a high-level strategic engagement at the State Government Banquet Hall in Makurdi.
Eereporter.com

The meeting brought together key security stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youths and women representatives, and members of various Farmers Associations, to address the state’s most pressing security challenges, with a primary focus on resolving the longstanding farmer-herder conflict.

Addressing the assembly, IGP Disu expressed grave concern over the widespread proliferation of sophisticated firearms, identifying it as the underlying driver of recurring violence across local communities. He commended Governor Alia and community leadership for their proactive support, emphasizing that local cooperation remains indispensable to achieving lasting peace. Urging residents, particularly the youths, to report suspicious activities promptly, the IGP promised robust, intelligence-driven policing backed by absolute confidentiality for all informants. He further called for seamless collaboration among conventional security agencies and local security outfits, reiterating that maintaining law and order is a collective responsibility.

In response, Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed deep gratitude to IGP Disu for conducting a direct operational assessment of the state, describing the visit as a clear demonstration of the Nigeria Police Force’s dedication under his leadership. Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies, Governor Alia stressed that his overarching goal is to guarantee a safe environment where every citizen can live, work, and farm without fear. He further commended the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. Nwadiogbu, for his decisive efforts to tackle crime and foster stronger police-community relations.

Benue

Benue

The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its dedication to safeguarding communities across the nation while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and public trust.

CSP ANIETIE OKOKON EDEM INIEDU
Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters, Abuja.
24th July, 2026.

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NAF Reinforce Joint Warfighting Capability With Special Forces Training For Nigerian Army Personnel

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Nigerian Army

NAF Reinforce Joint Warfighting Capability With Special Forces Training For Nigerian Army Personnel

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through the Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA), Bauchi, has commenced the screening of prospective participants for Special Forces training drawn from the Nigerian Army.
Eereporter.com

The exercise comprises comprehensive medical examinations and rigorous physical fitness assessments aimed at evaluating the personnel’s medical suitability, physical endurance and overall readiness for the demanding training programme. The screening marks the first critical step in preparing highly capable operators for complex and high-risk operational environments.

The exercise underscores the NAF’s unwavering commitment to reinforcing joint warfighting capability through professional military training and sustained inter-service collaboration.
By providing specialised training opportunities for personnel of sister services, the NAF continues to enhance interoperability, deepen mutual understanding and build a more integrated and mission-ready Armed Forces capable of delivering coordinated effects across the joint battlespace. The initiative reflects the Service’s strategic focus on strengthening operational readiness in support of national security objectives.

Speaking during the exercise, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Lawrence Akpan, described the screening as a critical phase in producing competent and mission-ready Special Forces operators.

Nigerian Army

Nigerian Army

He noted that Special Forces personnel play a pivotal role in counter-terrorism and other high-risk operations, where specialised skills in special reconnaissance, direct action, precision strikes and operating in austere environments are essential to mission success. He added that the programme exemplifies the synergy and jointness that underpin the Armed Forces of Nigeria, reflecting the NAF’s enduring commitment to training excellence and stronger inter-service cooperation.

The initiative reaffirms the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to building a highly professional, interoperable and mission-ready Armed Forces capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.
Eereporter.com

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