Nigeria, June 11 -- Civil society leaders and human rights advocates on Wednesday warned that Nigeria risks deeper democratic decline if citizens limit participation to protests and online activism without sustained engagement in governance and accountability.

They argued that democratic participation must extend beyond election cycles to policy advocacy, legislative engagement, civic education, and long-term community organising.

They made the call at "a joint intergenerational civil society" meeting on democratic resilience, civic participation and strategic coordination ahead of the 2027 general elections. It was organised by Hope Behind Bars Africa and Accountability Lab Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Executive Secretary of the...