Fifteen Champions, One Mission: Anthony Eromosele and Youth Champions Drive Civic Responsibility: A Civic Engagement Activity by Anthony Eromosele, 2025 EPLF Fellow

Inspired by the fellowship pillar on civic engagement, the Youth Champions for Change initiative came alive on 1 September 2025, led by Anthony Eromosele, a 2025 EPLF Fellow. The virtual town hall drew 15 passionate youth champions representing youth focused organizations and civil society groups from across Nigeria. In a deliberate step toward equity, half of the participants were female, emphasizing the commitment to inclusivity in civic leadership.

Objective of Activity

The initiative was never meant to be another online gathering. Its purpose was to awaken civic consciousness among young leaders, reminding them that democracy is not sustained by elections alone. The session aimed to raise awareness, promote active citizenship, and pass down hard earned insights from the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship (EPLF) through step down training. Above all, it sought to inspire participants to become catalysts for youth led community action across the country.

Key Outcomes

The townhall opened with energy that was anything but routine. As participants logged in, it became clear that this was a gathering of co creators, not passive listeners. The discussion quickly moved beyond theories, evolving into spirited exchanges about what it truly means to live as responsible citizens. Accountability, civic responsibility, and the role of everyday actions such as respecting the rule of law or demanding transparency from leaders were debated and embraced as building blocks of national development.

A defining moment of the session was the step down training. Lessons from the EPLF were not delivered as abstract concepts but contextualized into real life scenarios. Each participant could see how these insights might be applied in their communities, from grassroots advocacy to local organizing. By the close of the day, every youth champion made a tangible commitment: to cascade civic knowledge into their networks. That collective pledge marked the birth of a multiplier effect, a promise that the impact of 15 voices would soon echo through hundreds more.

Lessons Learnt 

The experience revealed a deep hunger among young leaders for spaces that amplify their voices outside the limited frame of election seasons. Step down training proved especially effective in creating ownership, as participants saw themselves not just as recipients of knowledge but as transmitters of change. Yet, the townhall also revealed important gaps. While the virtual format made it cost effective and accessible, it also limited the depth of connection. To achieve lasting impact, future sessions will need to blend virtual and in person engagements, allowing champions to build stronger bonds and momentum. Another key lesson was the need for robust follow up mechanisms to track how participants honor their commitments and to sustain their energy long after the screens go dark.

Next Steps

The Youth Champions for Change initiative will not end as a single event but continue under the Sustainable Pathways Nigeria (SPN) platform. Monthly town halls will bring together not only Youth Advocates but also Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), creating a richer ecosystem for dialogue and action. The next phase will focus on expanding outreach to reach more youth and community leaders, widening the circle of civic awareness. To strengthen engagement, future editions will embrace a hybrid model, combining the convenience of virtual spaces with the power of physical gatherings. In addition, partnerships with local organizations will be forged, ensuring the initiative grows sustainably and leaves footprints across Nigeria’s civic landscape.