Political promises are often central to election campaigns, yet many politicians fail to deliver once in office. This breach of trust has led to widespread disillusionment among youth, particularly in Nigeria. Addressing this critical gap, the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative launched YouthGovTracka—a pioneering project ensuring that promises to the younger generation are not just made but kept
YouthGovTracka, supported by the Youth Democracy Cohort and powered by the European Union, aims to create a more inclusive and accountable political landscape where young people have a definitive say in their futures. The project tracks and evaluates the campaign commitments of state governors regarding youth policies, offering a clear picture of who is fulfilling their promises and who is falling short.
A Bold Premise and Rigorous Process

YouthGovTracka operates on a straightforward yet powerful premise: promises made to youth must be tracked and evaluated. This initiative scrutinises the performance of state governors, covering 36 governors and more than 50 promises. The data collection process is rigorous, involving detailed analysis of campaign speeches, manifestos, and official documents. This data is cross-referenced with government records, media reports, and direct communications with officials to monitor the implementation of these promises. The result is a comprehensive database providing quantitative and qualitative assessments of political performance, managed by 36 youth focal points representing each state of Nigeria.
One of the project’s key findings is the disparity in the fulfilment of promises. Approximately 45% of the tracked promises have been fully implemented, but the implementation rate varies significantly across states and policy areas. While some states have made notable progress in improving youth employment opportunities, others lag in providing adequate educational reforms.
Tools for Accountability
To ensure accountability, YouthGovTracka developed a Citizen Accountability Toolkit. This toolkit, now translated into multiple local languages, empowers citizens to understand and track the commitments made by their leaders. This accessibility ensures that even those in remote areas can participate in the democratic process and hold their elected officials accountable.
The toolkit includes easy-to-follow guidelines on how to monitor political promises, interpret data, and engage with local government representatives. It serves as a crucial resource for fostering a culture of accountability at the grassroots level, making it possible for ordinary citizens to demand transparency and action from their leaders.
Engaging the Community

Engagement is at the heart of YouthGovTracka’s strategy. We organised town hall meetings across all geopolitical zones, providing a platform for dialogue between youth and their representatives. These forums have been instrumental in bridging the gap between policymakers and the younger generation, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
The town hall meetings allow for direct interaction, where young people can voice their concerns, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback from their leaders. This face-to-face engagement helps demystify the political process and makes it more accessible to young citizens.
Debates were held in all six geopolitical zones, specifically targeting undergraduate students. These debates were designed to ensure young people are active participants in shaping their futures, spark vibrant discussions on youth policies, and give students a direct channel to voice their concerns and expectations. The debates educated students about political processes and empowered them to be more engaged in civic duties.
We sponsored live radio shows and jingles across various states to amplify the initiative’s reach. These broadcasts engage a broader audience, including those without access to digital platforms. With its wide reach and local flavour, radio has proven to be an effective means of bringing the message of accountability to the grassroots. These radio programs provided updates on the initiative’s progress and highlighted stories of successful accountability efforts, encouraging more citizens to get involved.
Building Broad Support
YouthGovTracka has fostered the engagement and involvement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, journalists, and policymakers. These influential figures play a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and policy. Their involvement has garnered broader support and legitimacy, making it easier to drive change. Traditional rulers and religious leaders, in particular, have mobilised their communities and advocated for youth-inclusive policies.
By involving these key stakeholders, the initiative has created a network of allies who can help sustain its efforts. Journalists play a crucial role by reporting on the initiative’s progress and challenges, ensuring that the public remains informed and engaged. Policymakers, on the other hand, can use the data and insights provided by YouthGovTracka to make informed decisions and create policies that genuinely address the needs of the youth.
Stories of Impact
The impact of YouthGovTracka goes beyond numbers. It amplifies the voices of young people, giving them a platform to hold their leaders accountable. Usman, the youth focal point from Yobe State, shared his experience: “Before YouthGovTracka, it felt like our concerns were always sidelined. Now, we have a tool to show our leaders that we are watching and that we expect action.” This sense of empowerment is critical in fostering a more engaged and active youth population, which is essential for sustaining democratic processes.
Another poignant story comes from Grace in Lagos State, who noted, “The toolkit has made it possible for me to understand what our leaders promised and to track their progress. It’s empowering to know that I can make a difference.” These personal stories highlight the transformative impact of the initiative, making it clear that YouthGovTracka is not just about data—it’s about real change in people’s lives.
The Broader Impact
YouthGovTracka also addresses the broader issue of transparency in governance. By providing clear, accessible information about the performance of state governors, it helps build trust between governments and their citizens. Transparency is a cornerstone of good governance, and this initiative reinforces the importance of holding public officials to their word.
Furthermore, the initiative sets a precedent for tracking and evaluating political promises, laying the groundwork for more responsible and responsive leadership in the future. It demonstrates that citizens can hold their leaders accountable and drive meaningful change with the right tools and engagement strategies.
We cannot overstate the importance of YouthGovTracka. By holding politicians accountable and ensuring they deliver on their promises, we are empowering Nigeria’s youth and fostering a more transparent and accountable government. YouthGovTracka gives hope to young people across the country, showing that their voices matter and that they can make a difference.