[{"bbox": [72, 107, 302, 139], "category": "Section-header", "text": "2. RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [86, 170, 216, 197], "category": "Section-header", "text": "2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [82, 213, 1146, 506], "category": "Text", "text": "With an estimated population of 211 million in 2021, Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa and more than 60% of the population is under 25 years old. Nigeria is also one of Sub-Saharan Africa's two leading economies and a lower middle income country. Nigeria is a complex and heterogeneous country with tensions related to the diverse identity of Nigerians and inequalities. Since independence in 1960, the country has been confronted with a civil war and 33 years of a military government which ended in 1999 with the return to a civil administration and a fourth constitution. It has since held six general elections, which were broadly accepted but with varying degrees of quality, the most recent being in 2019. Today, Nigeria has witnessed 21 years of unbroken civil administration with a civilian to civilian transition between the two leading political parties in 2015. This inspired democratic development in the region and the broader continent. The country faces security and socio-economic difficulties, especially in the North, under-representation of youth, women and persons with disabilities in economic and political life, and challenges to democratic culture and human rights."}, {"bbox": [82, 531, 1146, 665], "category": "Text", "text": "Nigeria's ability to be a positive regional and continental player on governance, security and stability is contingent upon the unity, representativeness and the health of its democracy as well as its ability to accommodate the needs and the aspirations of its youth. It will be crucial to improve governance structures, democratic institutions and the very limited participation of the majority of the population in governance and the decision making process, youth and women in particular."}, {"bbox": [82, 690, 1146, 1062], "category": "Text", "text": "Peace and security challenges are multiple with crises in the North-East (security and humanitarian crisis caused by the violent conflict between the non-state armed groups and Nigerian Armed Forces), the North-Central (violence over the access to resources and inter-communal clashes), the South-West (herders-farmers clashes, criminality and resource conflicts) the South-South (crime and unrest because of perceived marginalisation), the South-East (calls for secession) and the North-West (cross-border criminality, banditry, kidnapping and illegal mining) with multiple tensions simmering below the surface. In the North-East alone, three million people are estimated to be Internally Displaced and more than eight million are in need of humanitarian aid. There are also 324 000 Nigerian refugees in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger. For The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigeria is one of their 14 \"emergency situations\" in the world. This volatility, exacerbated by population growth (and high youth population) and environmental crisis occasioned in part by climate change, is likely to remain in the medium and long term and will require a strengthened capacity for conflict prevention and management by the federal and state authorities, as well as by communities themselves. Many of the tensions mentioned above illustrate a widespread perception of marginalisation and exclusion which can be partially addressed by building a more inclusive political and economic system."}, {"bbox": [82, 1088, 1146, 1327], "category": "Text", "text": "The foregoing highlights the importance of democracy and civic participation as one of the most relevant and politically impactful areas for the EU to engage in. This is also underscored in the EU-Nigeria Joint Ministerial roadmap set in 2021, and was further stressed in extensive consultations with civil society organisations, youth and women groups during the programming process. The programme will combine far-reaching political engagement, technical support and a focus on critical issues that will contribute to the legitimacy of the political system... Supporting democratic governance and making it more inclusive is an investment for the long-term in order to make politics more inclusive, accountable and representative, therewith reducing the risk of conflict and irregular migration. By focusing on youth and women engagement, the EU will demonstrate that it supports future leaders and a long term vision for democracy in Nigeria."}, {"bbox": [82, 1352, 1146, 1619], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU's long-term technical support has been largely successful in building capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and key civil society actors. An important key challenge of voter access has been addressed, leading to an increase in the number of polling units from 119 973 to 176 846 thereby making voting more accessible in unserved and underserved areas of the country to cater for the growing voter population. A major milestone in youth participation was also achieved with the passage and enactment of the Youth Inclusion bill, which saw a reduction in the age requirement of candidates seeking elective office. Continued EU support will seek to create new entry points that will increase the scope and quality of the political engagement of youth, women and other marginalised groups, including internally displaced persons. There is a consensus amongst stakeholders, particularly the government, that youth inclusion is a prerequisite for sustainable development. This is because 51.1% of registered voters in the 2019 General Election are between the ages of 18 and 35 years."}, {"bbox": [1051, 1663, 1158, 1687], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 29"}]