Youth constitute the largest percentage of Nigeria’s population and over the years, youth who are unemployed have become vulnerable to politicians who utilize them as tools for unrest, especially electoral violence. As the 2023 general election approaches, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria is working tirelessly to promote a peaceful election process by empowering youth with essential education, tools, and strategies to become peacebuilders in their communities.

In November 2022, GPF collaborated with Vision Africa and ADF International to organize a crucial interactive forum “Inclusive Youth Dialogue against Electoral Violence.” The program aims to bring youth together with religious leaders, officials, and members of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, the National Association of Nigerian Students, the National Council of Muslim Youths, and the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Father Canice (left) speaks at the Inclusive Youth Dialogue forum

Rev. Fr Canice Chinyeaka Enyiaka, a representative for GPF, described youth as the backbone of a country’s development saying that the outcome of the 2023 elections will be determined by the role played by Nigerian youth. Bishop Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, Founder of Vision Africa, agreed and stated that the dialogue table is the best place to express opinions and grievances.

GPF Nigeria went on to organize a town hall meeting in Kaduna State to sensitize and educate youth on voter issues in collaboration with the Justice, Peace, and Development Commission (JPDC) and Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria on November 25, 2022. Kaduna is recognized as one of the most volatile states in Nigeria, experiencing deadly post-election violence. GPF Nigeria plans to mitigate these challenges through consistent capacity-building workshops, seminars, town hall meetings, and media outreach.

Youth participating in Global Peace Foundation seminars on preventing election violence