Young Nigerians voice worries about trust and women's roles ahead of 2027 elections

As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, young Nigerians are worried about falling trust in democratic institutions. They also highlighted ongoing barriers to women's political participation and the need for better civic education.

These issues came up at Caustival 2026, a social justice arts and film festival organized by Gatefield in Abuja on Saturday.

The festival, themed "We Decide," brought together artists, filmmakers, activists, researchers, and citizens. They discussed power, inclusion, and civic responsibility through film screenings, exhibitions, performances, and public talks.

Participants talked about the realities that shape Nigeria’s democratic future. They stressed the need for stronger citizen engagement and more inclusion in governance.

One highlight of the festival was a mock voting exercise that was intentionally disrupted. This activity encouraged participants to think about public trust in elections and the weaknesses that can undermine democratic participation.

A common topic during the discussions was the difficulties women face in seeking leadership roles and fully joining public life. Speakers pointed out the effects of online abuse, political violence, and deep-rooted social norms. These issues, they said, discourage many women from getting involved in politics and public discussions.

Nabilah Usman, the producer of the documentary "Double Minority," spoke during a session. She mentioned that digital violence often drives women away from online spaces where they can showcase their work and interact with the public.

"Digital violence makes women leave the digital space, which means they can’t be out there to talk about their work, campaign for themselves, and make money," she said.

Fakhriyyah Hashim, a gender justice activist, also shared her views. She explained that online harassment and threats can have effects beyond the internet. They can impact women's confidence, well-being, and their desire to run for public office.

Ms Hashim reflected on the relationship between citizens and elected officials. She argued that limited interactions between elections lead to public distrust and transactional politics.

"These physical threats, digital threats, they take a toll on women’s mental health when they want to run for office," she said.

The talks also looked at bigger structural issues that limit women’s representation in politics and decision-making.

Solape Sonuga, curator of Abuja Global Shapers, shared her thoughts. She said the low level of women’s political participation is not just about money.

Ms Sonuga pointed out that deep-seated cultural norms and gender inequalities still shape women’s access to leadership roles.

"The overall barrier to women’s participation in politics is not money. It is a cultural problem, rooted in gender disparity," she said.

Beyond representation, speakers emphasized the need for stronger civic education and a better understanding of history to boost democratic participation.

Salma Ja’eh, a cultural archivist, said knowing Nigeria’s political history is key for citizens who want to engage meaningfully in governance.

She noted that researching Nigeria’s political past will help people pay more attention.

"People extract as much as they can from politicians because they know they only see them once every four years," she said.

Caustival is an arts and film festival that focuses on social justice issues.

The festival brings together filmmakers, artists, journalists, creators, activists, and citizens to discuss democracy, culture, power, and the stories that shape public life.

As the 2027 elections approach, discussions at this year’s festival showed a growing interest among young Nigerians for conversations that go beyond just elections. They want to tackle the social, cultural, and institutional roots of democracy.