Global democracy has declined for the eighth consecutive year, primarily due to low voter turnout and disputed election results, threatening the credibility of free and fair elections. West Africa is sliding into military dictatorship, with a recent poll suggesting most West African populations support the Niger coup, with approval ratings nearing 80% in Mali.
Civic education, teaching citizens about their rights, responsibilities, and the political system, is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. However, in Nigeria, this crucial component has been neglected. The curriculum prioritizes academic subjects over civic knowledge, leaving many young people ill-equipped to engage meaningfully in their communities and the democratic process.
To address this, ChatVE, a Civic Tech organization, trained Nigerians on “Citizen Bot (CitiBot),” an integrated chatbot designed to educate citizens about their civic rights and responsibilities on social messaging applications (WhatsApp and Telegram), at the just-concluded Edo State Governorship election.
The training, focusing on civil rights and responsibilities, was held on September 21st, 2024, in four selected Local Governments across ten polling units in Edo State. Over 100 citizens participated in the onboarding session, conducted to provide a basic level of civic understanding and improve civic participation.
Israel Olatunji Tijani, Data Scientist and Lead Developer of CitiBot, stressed the need for AI innovation in solving problems peculiar to Sub-Saharan Africa. “The goal is to promote civic education engagement in local communities, inform grassroots voters about democratic processes, and educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities.”
Tijani explained that AI solutions offer scalable approaches to overcoming barriers, fostering inclusive participation in governance, and enabling citizens to be fully aware of their rights and civic obligations. Nigeria’s lack of civic education has led to declining civic participation, contributing to societal ills.
The consequences of neglect and eroded civic knowledge in Nigeria are far-reaching. A population uninformed about its rights is vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. When citizens don’t understand their duties, they’re less likely to fulfill obligations like paying taxes or preserving socio-economic infrastructures.
CitiBot is menu-based, allowing users to explore topics like rights and responsibilities, government structure, voting guides, and understanding the constitution. Nigeria must prioritize civic education, developing comprehensive curricula and providing resources and training for teachers.
Civil society organizations and media outlets can promote civic education and encourage citizens to engage in democratic activities. The training, facilitated alongside Gbolahan Ifeoluwa, Head of Partnership and Strategy at ChatVE, explained how CitiBot can be accessed through WhatsApp, Telegram, and QR codes.
Obazi Omoniyi, a radio presenter with Radio Nigeria, praised CitiBot’s potential. “As a global village, information can easily reach the right authority, and CitiBot could help do that.” Jessica, a voter who engaged with CitiBot, echoed the need for civic education awareness.
“A lot of people don’t even know the importance of voting or their rights as citizens, but with tools like CitiBot, I believe more people will become informed and motivated to participate in elections.”
The initiative is supported by Yiaga Africa as part of the “Turn Up Democracy” project under the Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
In conclusion, Nigeria’s democratic future hinges on civic education. By investing in civic education and fostering civic engagement, Nigeria can empower its citizens, strengthen democracy, and build a more just and equitable society.
