Nigerian youths have been advised to actively participate in next year’s general elections.

The Country Director, MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima gave the advice while delivering a keynote address at the opening of a two-day Lead on Conference 2022 organised by the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) in Abuja.

Shettima said the foundation was committed to working in partnership with Nigeria towards the success of the 2023 general elections.

According to him, the organisation has been working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make elections credible.

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He also said the foundation engaged young people to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and come out and vote on the day of election.

Shettima said the foundation, since 1989, had invested not less than $200 million dollars in Nigeria.

He advised the government, philanthropists and developmental organisations to invest more in education, health care systems to slow down the country’s fertility rate as well as create economic opportunities for the youth.

President of the association, Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem, said the Mandela Washington Fellowship (MWF), established by the former United States President, Barack Obama in 2014, had the potential to impact on the unity and development of Nigeria.

He said the fellowship provided outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to hone their skills at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.