Hadiza Yahaya
The Foundation for the Internationalization of Public Administrations (FIAP), in collaboration with the European Union, German Cooperation and Denmark, recently organized a three-day workshop in Lagos, Nigeria.
The workshop aimed at strengthening electoral integrity and promoting peaceful participation through electoral literacy in Nigeria.
The workshop, held from April 21 to 23, 2026, brought together 36 participants from 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory under the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security and Governance (EPSG) Project.
The initiative is designed to address critical information gaps that leave women and youth vulnerable to misinformation, manipulation, and electoral violence, especially in politically sensitive areas like Lagos.
Participants were equipped with knowledge and tools to counter false narratives and misinformation, Promote, peaceful civic engagement, and strengthen community-level advocacy.
A major highlight of the workshop was the emphasis on increasing women’s participation in politics, with discussions centered on the proposed Reserved Seat Bill.
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Participants identified key barriers limiting women’s participation, including, cultural and religious constraints, financial challenges, political violence and intimidation and lack of mentorship and awareness.
To address these challenges, stakeholders called for stronger mentorship programmes, Increased financial support and training, inclusive political policies and greater grassroots mobilization.
Speaking during one of the sessions, facilitator Aisha Ali Tijjani, National Consultant, Nigeria Law School, stressed the need for women and youth to take an active role in governance.
She emphasized that meaningful change requires intentional participation, unity, and strategic engagement, particularly at the grassroots level.
“Women and young people must move beyond being observers to becoming active decision-makers in the political process. Change will not happen by chance, it requires deliberate action and consistent engagement at all levels.
“We must begin to organize at the grassroots, build strong networks, and support one another. Unity among women is not optional, it is a strategy for influence and impact,” she stated.
Also contributing, Mr. Adeniyi Aremu, Excutive Director, Civil Society Organization for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN) noted that the immediate priority should be taking practical steps rather than over-deliberating over women’s political inclusion.
“We have spent years identifying the problems, now is the time to focus on solutions. What matters is action, clear, strategic, and sustained,” he said.
He urged participants to support the Reserved Seat Bill.
He added: “Let us give the Reserved Seat Bill a chance. It may not be perfect, but it provides a practical starting point to correct long-standing imbalances in representation.
: “If we are serious about inclusion, then stakeholders must move from conversation to commitment. Real progress requires collective ownership and political will.”
The programme builds on earlier successes in Kano and aims to expand its reach across Nigeria and the West African region. Organizers say the long-term goal is to establish strong,women-led networks capable of influencing governance at both national and regional levels.
Participants left with a shared commitment to return to their communities and drive change through education, advocacy, and grassroots engagement.
