12/08/2026
Young people are often described as the future, yet many are still excluded from the policies, decisions, and civic processes shaping their lives. Without the right knowledge and opportunities, participation remains limited.
Through the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA II), implemented in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, SSDO is helping to close this gap by creating practical opportunities for young people to participate, lead, and influence public decision-making through evidence, civic education, and policy engagement.
To strengthen citizen-led accountability, SSDO equipped and deployed 51 youth monitors across all 17 LGAs of Enugu State to assess community experiences with the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, generating evidence to inform policy dialogue and improve transparency. We also supported the implementation of the Enugu State Youth Policy by bringing together government institutions and youth stakeholders to strengthen coordination and align youth priorities with government planning.
To encourage informed democratic participation, we carried out a four-day civic engagement campaign at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and across our SPA II communities, where young people received practical guidance on voter registration, PVC collection, electoral rights, and how to resist vote buying, misinformation, and electoral violence. We also equipped 27 young civic leaders with practical skills in advocacy, artificial intelligence, digital campaigning, cybersecurity, and evidence-based engagement through our Digital Tools for Engagement Bootcamp 5.0.
When young people are equipped with knowledge, evidence, and opportunities to engage, they become active partners in strengthening accountable institutions and building more inclusive communities.
This International Youth Day, we celebrate the young people who are choosing to lead, participate, and shape a better future for all.
Happy International Youth Day!
