The #EndSARS movement forced national attention on unending issues of police brutality and poor governance. The response across levels of government provides a sudden opportunity to ensure aggrieved persons, especially youths and the vulnerable are heard. Through the judicial panels, justice may be served and social oppressions prevented.

The main objective of our project idea is to — Expand the civic spaces in 3 Nigerian States and the FCT leading to citizens increased tracking of the government’s #EndSARS promises and reduces human rights violations. Where petitions are still being received, this consortium proposes to back up the government’s effort in asking aggrieved youths to send in petitions and attend judicial panel hearings in 3 states — Ebonyi, Oyo, Bauchi, and the Federal Capital Territory.

In states where petitions are still being received, simplified public announcements on last-mile media outlets like radio and social media will be used with attention given to local languages. Women and persons living with disabilities who have been violated will also be targeted with the jingles and encouraged to file petitions. Violated unlettered youths and others will be supported to document their petitions and shown where to submit them. We will also facilitate legal support for petitioners through a partnership with the local branches of the Nigerian Bar Association.

The panel sessions will also be reported live through social media while feature stories on various cases will be published in Nigerian dailies and blogs. Radio airtime dedicated to giving publicity to the judicial hearings will also be committed to with contents on coordination of social movements neatly embedded. The radio programme will also review the major cases from the judicial panel helping to keep the goal of the EndSARS movement in mind, especially the benefits to the country, The fourth action includes relating with the government to document simple processes that youths can follow in reporting similar misdemeanour in future while also ensuring documentation of government’s commitments to promised reforms. This will be forged through organised dialogue sessions between government officials, the police and citizens, styled as town hall meetings. 100 Young people and PWDs will also benefit from 4 weeks of online sessions on social activism.

The desired change is that youths will not see the #EndSARS protest as another wasted effort. Through this, the number of petitions will increase in the states. A change also anticipated is that the government will see civil society organisations as partners, especially as the tone of the radio jingles (where applicable and done) will be one asking citizens to respond to the government’s call for solutions through the judicial panel or through the toll-free lines to report new violations. Clearly, this will lead to an expansion in the civic space. The print, social media and radio reports will further keep the government’s gaze on the need to truly #EndSARS thus making policies and legislations around this conceivable. Where instances of police brutality happen, there will be clear public channels for reporting such as against leaving it to run for years before being forced to burst to the fore after lives have been lost. The consortium proposes three solutions — ensure that the democratic demands of the movement are kept alive and promises of the government tracked to ensure its fulfilment; Mobilise actions that will track human rights violations particularly police brutalities in Nigeria and ensure that appropriate authorities are involved, and support Nigerian youths to be better organised and coordinated in demanding a better future.

You Matter: Strengthening Youth-Led Advocacy Against Police Brutality in Nigeria

In Nigeria, young people have long been at the center of activism against police brutality. The #EndSARS protests of 2020 brought global attention to the issue, but the fight for accountability and justice is far from over. The You Matter Project, led by YouthHubAfrica, set out to equip young Nigerians with the tools to document human rights violations, engage with security agencies, and push for systemic reforms.

Through a mix of community engagement, digital advocacy, and policy dialogues, the project empowered youth to navigate Nigeria’s security and justice landscape, making their voices count in the movement for police reform.

Bridging the Gap Between Citizens and Security Agencies

One of the most significant achievements of the project was the Town Hall Meetings held in four project locations. These events brought together government officials, police officers, civil society groups, and young activists to discuss police brutality and strategies for reform. Representatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ministry of Justice, and National Human Rights Commission attended, providing transparency on the steps security agencies are taking, and the challenges they face, in improving human rights protections.

For many participants, it was the first time they had a direct dialogue with those responsible for law enforcement.The Town Halls helped break down barriers, creating a foundation for trust, collaboration, and long-term change.

Empowering Youth with Knowledge and Tools

To make advocacy more accessible, the project introduced innovative digital tools to help young people report human rights abuses and navigate the justice system. A toll-free helpline and ChatBot allowed individuals to document cases of police misconduct and receive guidance on the appropriate agencies to contact.

In addition, the project produced 48 episodes of a radio program, featuring discussions with civil society leaders, security experts, and human rights advocates. These episodes helped listeners better understand the legal frameworks that govern police conduct and how to take action when abuses occur.

Meanwhile, 80 young people participated in an online course on social activism, gaining insights into how governance and policy decisions affect police accountability. This program ensured that more young Nigerians were equipped with practical skills to engage with decision-makers and demand reforms.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

The project reinforced a key reality: police brutality cannot be solved in a single year. Addressing the issue requires a long-term strategy that involves awareness, legal reform, security sector training, and political will.

One of the biggest challenges was the slow implementation of recommendations from the EndSARS Judicial Panels. Despite widespread protests and official inquiries, many state governors have yet to act on the panels’ findings, limiting the immediate impact of the reforms.

Additionally, while the project successfully increased public awareness, changing entrenched security practices remains a challenge. Many officers still operate under outdated systems, and shifting institutional behavior will require sustained policy pressure and security sector engagement.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum

The You Matter Project laid the groundwork for continued advocacy and reform. While the official project period has ended, its impact continues through:

• Ongoing youth-led policy tracking, ensuring that the recommendations from the EndSARS Judicial Panels are implemented.
• Strengthened partnerships between young activists and security agencies, allowing for continued dialogue and accountability efforts.
• Expanding public awareness through digital platforms and radio programs, keeping the conversation alive beyond urban centers.