The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the African Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF) have urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of the democratic space and actively participate in governance.

They made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the National Youth Mentorship Conference on Sustainable Democratic Governance, themed: “Building Sustainable Pathways for Civic Leadership, Electoral Participation and Democratic Governance.

Executive Director of AYGF, said youths, Dr. Arome Salifu, who constituted more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, had both the responsibility and opportunity to shape the country’s political future.

Salifu, however, lamented that youths had been systematically excluded, directly or indirectly, from meaningful participation in the democratic process and governance.

He said the enactment of the Not Too Young to Run law was an important step but had not removed all barriers preventing youths from actively participating in politics.

Salifu urged youths to seek political power through lawful and democratic means rather than violence, electoral malpractice or intimidation.

He said political participation should involve organising, building networks, developing credible agendas, engaging in democratic processes and pursuing economic empowerment.

He called on stakeholders to create opportunities for youth economic empowerment while providing mentorship, civic education and leadership development to prepare young people for governance.

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Plateau, Prof. Sam Egwu, also urged youths to use elections as a peaceful means of expressing dissatisfaction with government and choosing competent leaders.

He said voter apathy posed a major threat to democratic legitimacy because governments elected by a small proportion of citizens could face questions about the breadth of their mandate.

Egwu said that average voter turnout in Nigeria’s last three electoral cycles had remained between 30 per cent and 35 per cent.

He urged young Nigerians to demonstrate dissatisfaction with poor governance by voting rather than staying away from polling units.

Director-General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said youth inclusion was a fundamental requirement for legitimate and sustainable democracy.

Sulaiman, represented by Dr. Christopher Ngara, Director, Department of Democracy and Governance, identified unemployment, poverty, unequal access to education, weak institutions and limited political financing as major barriers.

He said youths were often treated as voters, campaign mobilisers and political foot soldiers rather than policymakers, legislators and leaders within the democratic system.

Sulaiman said the situation must change, emphasising that meaningful youth participation was essential to ensuring the responsiveness, legitimacy and sustainability of Nigeria’s democracy.

Suleiman Mande, Founder of The Mande Global Impact Consulting Ltd., said the quality of Nigeria’s democracy depended largely on the character, knowledge and responsibility of its citizens.

Mande urged young Nigerians to prepare for leadership by becoming informed, responsible and active citizens capable of contributing positively to democratic governance.

He encouraged youths to participate before, during and after elections, ask questions, demand transparency, respect the rule of law and remain engaged in governance.

By Tony Obiechina, Obiechina

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has commenced Cohort 2 of the Apex Bank Regulatory Sandbox Programme, inviting eligible innovators, financial institutions, Virtual Asset.

In a statement by the CBN Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali on Tuesday, Service Providers (VASPs), financial technology companies, and technology companies applied to participate.

Building on the CBN’s commitment to responsible innovation, Cohort 2 introduces two dedicated testing tracks to support emerging technologies with the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s financial system while upholding high standards of consumer protection, financial stability, and market integrity.

The two tracks are: Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Track, supporting innovative virtual asset, stablecoin, payment, settlement, custody, wallet, and related financial infrastructure solutions that require supervised live testing; and Data-Enabled Financial Services (Non-VASP) Track, supporting innovations that leverage secure digital infrastructure and permission-based data sharing to improve financial inclusion, payments, credit, risk management, operational efficiency, and consumer outcomes.

The CBN Regulatory Sandbox provides a controlled environment in which eligible participants may test innovative financial products, services, business models, and enabling technologies under the supervision of the Central Bank.

The programme enables the CBN and innovators to engage constructively throughout the testing process, supporting regulatory learning while encouraging responsible innovation that benefits consumers and the wider financial system.

The launch of Cohort 2 reflects the CBN’s continued commitment to developing a transparent, proportionate, and risk-based regulatory environment that fosters innovation while preserving monetary and financial stability. Insights from supervised testing will help deepen regulatory understanding of emerging technologies and inform the ongoing development of regulatory and supervisory frameworks for Nigeria’s evolving digital financial ecosystem.

Eligible organisations whose proposed innovations fall within the programme’s scope are encouraged to apply.

 Applications will be assessed based on the level of innovation, readiness for controlled live testing, potential consumer or market benefit, governance arrangements, risk management capability, and the suitability of the proposed testing plan.

Successful participants will undertake supervised testing within clearly defined parameters agreed with the CBN, including appropriate safeguards for consumer protection, operational resilience, cybersecurity, and regulatory report

Participation in the Regulatory Sandbox does not constitute a licence, authorisation, or approval to operate outside the approved testing parameters. The Sandbox is intended to facilitate responsible experimentation, strengthen regulatory engagement, and support evidence-based policy development in line with the CBN’s statutory mandate.

Applications for Cohort 2 open on August 12, 2026, and close on August 31, 2026.

To apply, visit the CBN Regulatory Sandbox Portal at https://sandbox.cbn.gov.ng and submit your application before the application deadline.

The Central Bank of Nigeria remains committed to fostering an innovative, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystem that supports sustainable economic growth while maintaining the safety, soundness, and integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

Tension heightened across Osun State yesterday as Governor Ademola Adeleke and Senator Francis Fadahunsi traded accusations over an alleged incitement video, while Afrobeat star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, appealed to United States President Donald Trump and the international community to monitor the August 15 governorship election.

The latest development came amid intensified political campaigns and growing concerns over security ahead of Saturday’s poll, with Adeleke declaring that he was not intimidated by what he described as the “federal might” backing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

Speaking at the Arise Townhall Meeting on Tuesday, the governor, who is seeking re-election, described himself as a “bulldozer” and dismissed the influence of serving governors campaigning for his opponent.

“I am a bulldozer. I am not afraid of Federal might and governors backing the APC candidate. If they like, they should bring all the governors,” Adeleke said.

He added that the governors supporting the APC candidate were his friends but would not be able to vote in the election.

“They won’t vote; they can only come and dance, and after the election, we will meet,” he said.

The governor also rejected allegations that his administration had militarised the state, saying he lacked the constitutional authority to deploy the armed forces.

But the political confrontation took a sharper turn at an emergency press briefing in Osogbo, where Adeleke demanded the immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of Fadahunsi over a viral video in which the senator was allegedly heard calling for the killing of Accord Party members and their families.

Adeleke said the matter had gone beyond partisan politics and constituted a national security concern. He also alleged that a police directive had been issued for the arrest of Accord Party leaders, with some allegedly being held without charges.

The governor said he had raised the matter with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and called for an end to what he described as “illegal operations” by security operatives against members of his party.

Adeleke further urged the police and the Department of State Services to investigate Fadahunsi’s alleged comments and ensure that security agencies remained neutral before, during and after the election.

Fadahunsi, however, rejected the interpretation placed on his remarks, saying his reference to “killing Accord” was political language and meant defeating the party through votes rather than violence.

In a statement issued by his media office and titled “Kill Osun Accord with Votes, Not Violence,” the senator said his comments were “purely political and metaphorical”.

He maintained that he had never advocated violence or physical attacks against Accord Party members and urged APC supporters and other political actors to maintain peace and allow voters to exercise their constitutional rights freely.

The controversy also drew the intervention of Davido, who is Adeleke’s nephew. In a message addressed to President Trump, the singer expressed concern over alleged threats of violence, intimidation and disruption of the electoral process.

Davido urged the US President and the international community to pay attention to the election and encourage Nigerian authorities to protect voters and ensure that their votes were respected.

“We do not want bloodshed. We do not want intimidation. We want peace, transparency, and a free and fair election,” he said.

The escalating political tension comes against the backdrop of wider security operations across the country, with the Nigerian Army reporting fresh successes against kidnappers, bandits and terrorists in Kogi, Plateau and Kebbi states.

In Kogi, troops rescued nine commuters abducted along the Ajaokuta–Itobe Road after engaging suspected kidnappers and forcing them to abandon their captives. The victims included two elderly men, two elderly women, four other adult males and an infant.

In Plateau, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE foiled an alleged bandit ambush in Nwur Village, Langtang North Local Government Area, killing one attacker and recovering an AK-47 rifle, a magazine and two rounds of ammunition.

Troops in Kebbi also ambushed members of the Lakurawa terrorist group who were reportedly heading towards Dandi Local Government Area. Two motorcycles, mobile phones, communication radios and a Nigerien identity card were recovered following the operation.

The Army said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to protect communities and disrupt the activities of criminal groups, while urging citizens to provide security agencies with timely information.

With the Osun governorship election only days away, political parties are intensifying mobilisation across the state, even as competing claims over security, alleged intimidation and the conduct of political actors continue to dominate the campaign.

The immediate challenge for the authorities, stakeholders and security agencies is to ensure that the heightened political contest does not translate into violence and that voters are allowed to determine the outcome of Saturday’s election freely and peacefully.