Ibadan hosted the highly anticipated debut of the Active Citizens Hangout outside of Lagos on Saturday, March 28, 2026, marking a defining moment for civic engagement in Nigeria. Hosted by CivicHive and Learn Politics, in partnership with Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), WomenTooAfrica and other incredible collaborators, the Ibadan edition was a statement towards inclusive and participatory governance.

A New Milestone: Taking the Conversation Beyond Lagos State

For years, the Active Citizens Hangout has served as a space for young Nigerians to learn, question, and engage with governance and civic responsibility. But this edition was different. This was the first hangout on the road, a bold step toward decentralizing civic conversations and ensuring that access to knowledge, tools, and engagement is not limited by geography.

Ibadan, with its rich history and vibrant youth population, was the perfect place to begin this new chapter. With over 60 young people in attendance, the space was energetic and curious, with a shared desire to understand how governance in Nigeria works and how it can work better.

Participants engaged in conversations around public policy, legislative processes, public finance and budgeting, transparency and accountability tools, and women’s participation in governance. Each session broke down complex systems into relatable, actionable insights, empowering attendees to understand governance and identify their role within it.

Learning Meets Fun

One of the most memorable highlights of the Ibadan edition of the Active Citizens Hangout was the interactive Kahoot session. Let’s be honest, conversations around governance, policy, and civic responsibility can sometimes feel heavy or overly technical. But the games changed that narrative completely. From ‘Do You Know?’ to ‘Oh Wow, I Didn’t Know That.’ The sessions were a learning experience in disguise.

Participants were challenged with questions about voting age in Nigeria, Freedom of Information Act and what it allows citizens to do, the national budget, the PVC, the role of INEC, and what CivicTech really means. 

Simple questions? Maybe. But the reactions in the room said otherwise. As the leaderboard kept shifting and the countdown timers added pressure, you could feel the energy rise, cheers, laughter, friendly competition, and those ‘Ahhh!’ moments when answers were revealed.

Why These Conversations Matter Now More Than Ever

One thing that stood out during the hangout was how unfamiliar many participants were with CivicTech; including the tools and organisations driving this space. For a lot of attendees, this was their first real introduction to how technology can be used to track government spending, access public information, or demand accountability. This gap highlights an important reality that while the interest to engage exists, access to the right knowledge and tools is still limited and that is exactly the gap initiatives like the Active Citizens Hangout are designed to fill.

In a time where many young Nigerians feel disconnected from governance, conversations like these are critical. We are living in a moment where misinformation spreads quickly, trust in institutions is fragile, and young people are eager for change but unsure where to start. 

The Active Citizens Hangout bridges that gap and answers important questions like: how does government actually work?, how can I hold leaders accountable?, and what tools are available to me as a citizen to exercise my rights? 

More importantly, it shifts the mindset from ‘there’s nothing I can do’ to ‘here’s how I can get involved’, because democracy only works when citizens are informed, engaged, and active. 

What’s Next: The Bigger Vision

Ibadan was just the beginning. This edition marks the start of something bigger, a journey to take the message of civic technology, accountability, and active citizenship across Nigeria. The road has officially begun, and we are excited about what lies ahead. The Active Citizens Hangout – Ibadan Edition was a reminder that young people care, that knowledge is powerful, that change starts with engagement, and that when citizens come together, conversations can turn into action

To everyone who showed up, contributed, and believed in the vision, thank you, and we can’t wait to be in the next city. 

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