‘From Protest to Action: Activating our New Nigeria” is an initiative of Citizens Common Advocacy International, SOZO Empowerment and Mentorship Initiative and McAnderson Institute of Technology. The project seeks to answer key questions such as how do we keep the energy from the streets and sustain the interest of young Nigerians in demanding accountability? How do we ensure adequate protection and safety for youth leaders speaking amid government crackdown? How do we ensure the rights of protesters, youths, women, vulnerable groups are protected?.

CCAI plans to expand the recently launched YANN Campaign – www.youthaction.ng As a digital knowledge exchange hub. This collective action platform is designed to mobilize, empower and resource young Nigerians in their renewed interest to demand accountability. It will mobilise, identify, train, curate, share resources and tools for community action and activism for anyone interested in locally-led social change.

Second, through the Community Change Champion Programme; CCAI will identify and engage 30 high potential youth leaders who emerged from the protest and other networks, create a community of action and resources as well as training that empowers them with key skills, access mentorship and networks of leaders, institutions and resources that can strengthen their work as change champions.

Third, CCAI will organize the first-ever Citizen Conversations for New Nigeria: a series of national debates and community town halls sessions designed to create awareness and highlight policy issues of importance from communities to campuses. And lastly, through the Legal Commons partnership, CCAI seeks to engage in strategic litigation challenging some of the policies and initiatives that stiffen the civic space, reduces government accountability and tramples the constitutional rights of Nigerians especially the vulnerable populations.

A New Nigeria: Empowering Youth for Accountability and Change 

For years, young Nigerians have faced systemic exclusion from governance, economic opportunities, and decision-making processes. The 2020 #EndSARS protests demonstrated their power in demanding change, yet many youth activists struggled to sustain momentum beyond the streets. Recognizing this, Citizen Commons Advocacy International, with support from Voice, launched an initiative to empower young Nigerians to engage in policy-making, demand accountability, and drive social change. 

Through the Youth Action Do Something Social Impact Hub, over 1,800 youth leaders registered to connect, learn, and engage in civic action. The platform provided access to impact opportunities, leadership training, and policy education, ensuring young Nigerians had the tools and knowledge to influence governance. Additionally, the Nigerian Youth Voice Survey captured the perspectives of 16,750 youth on issues like education, political participation, insecurity, and economic policies, providing a critical evidence base for advocacy efforts. 

The impact of this movement was undeniable. Over 18,000 young Nigerians across 24 cities participated in Youth Conversations for a New Nigeria, shaping discussions around leadership, transparency, and youth inclusion. Some of these conversations led to direct policy engagements, such as the 12 planned advocacy visits to policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels. Meanwhile, on the legal front, two wrongfully detained youth were successfully released, marking a victory in the fight against police brutality and unlawful detention. 

Lessons Learned: Overcoming Barriers to Youth Engagement 

One of the biggest lessons from this project was that youth engagement must go beyond protests to structured advocacy. Many young people expressed frustration at being unheard, yet lacked access to decision-making spaces. By equipping youth with policy knowledge, community organizing skills, and digital advocacy tools, the project helped shift activism from reactionary protests to strategic, long-term change efforts. 

However, challenges remain. Government resistance to youth-led movements has made it difficult to push for sustained policy change. Some youth leaders faced threats and harassment, reinforcing the need for legal protections and advocacy for safe civic spaces. Additionally, while the Youth Voice Survey gathered powerful insights, translating this data into concrete policy influence remains an ongoing struggle. The need for stronger networks, alliances, and international advocacy support is critical in holding leaders accountable. 

Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Movement for a New Nigeria 

This initiative has laid the groundwork for a youth-led movement that demands better governance, economic justice, and civic accountability. Moving forward, Citizen Commons Advocacy International is set to: 

• Expand the Youth Action Do Something Hub to train and mobilize more young leaders. 

• Launch the Nigerian Youth Voice Survey as a bi-annual report to track youth perspectives and policy responses. 

• Strengthen legal support for youth activists through the expansion of the LegalCommons partnership. 

• Continue advocacy visits to policymakers to push for inclusive youth representation in governance. 

Young Nigerians have shown that they refuse to be bystanders in shaping their country’s future. With the right tools, platforms, and support, they are not just demanding change—they are leading it.