Opeyemi Ademolekun, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Enough Is Enough Nigeria (EIE), says Nigeria has recorded significant improvements in civic awareness over the past 15 years but still lacks the sustained political action required to hold leaders accountable and strengthen democracy.
Speaking In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Ademolekun reflected on EIE’s evolution from online activism to a nationally recognised civic institution, explaining how social media and young Nigerians reshaped public engagement while also noting that despite growing interest in governance, the country struggles to convert conversations into collective action.
“Awareness has increased, young people are engaged in a way. But the leap to then say – ‘okay, enough of this, and I want to do something about it’ – stop shy of that.”
She said EIE emerged from a moment when citizens had begun using Twitter and BlackBerry Messenger to challenge political leaders. “So 15 years ago, Enough is Enough was started taking an online conversation offline. So Twitter, Blackberry Messenger, young people talking about what their problems were. It was at that time as well that government officials came online. And the dynamic changed.. . If you’re talking on radio, anybody that’s upset with what I’m saying, I can’t hear them…unless you call it. But social media provided an opportunity for immediate response. And government officials were taken aback because they weren’t used to that.”
She emphasised that one of EIE’s most influential interventions is the Office of the Citizen campaign. “So if you ask your average Nigerian, a democracy equals elections, the fact that we have elections. And so what we’ve tried to do with the Office of the Citizen is say it’s beyond that. You vote, and then remember that they work for you.”
According to her, EIE has documented many examples in which ordinary citizens successfully pressured local officials to fix dilapidated schools, repair roads, and improve public services. “We do have some success stories of citizens engaging local government, chairmen, senators, House of Rep members and getting results, getting schools rebuilt. We just had one in Nasarawa. But we don’t have enough, number one. And also we’re not, even as an organisation, we’re not amplifying those stories enough.”
Ademolekun noted, however, that Nigeria is still unwilling to confront key moments of national trauma especially the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
“Just to land on that point, that the trauma is real. And as a country, we must recognise even in terms of dealing with young people, some do engage, but quite a number of them would rather not. Would rather not talk about it. Would rather not deal with it in any way, So it is real, and we need to deal with it as a country.
“A country that refuses to come to terms with pain, is a country that is shying away from its history,” she added.
Reflecting on institutional challenges, Ademolekun said many civic organisations in Nigeria depend heavily on international donors. “A big part of our funding came from international donors. One thing that I’ve always believed is that if Nigerians don’t support this work, it’s not sustainable. Because ultimately, it is Nigeria. So if Nigerians themselves don’t see the value in a country that works, How can we get Nigerians to fund it?” she said, encouraging citizens to support EIE through its donation platform at eie.ng/donate.
As EIE marks its 15-year anniversary, Ademolekun said the organisation is hosting a major stakeholder event featuring leaders from government, civil society, the media, traditional institutions and pop culture. “It’s an interesting one and it’s one that brings me a lot of joy because it brings in people that we call our stakeholders. Those different people, different pillars that have been a part of our journey.”
She said that despite the challenges, she remains confident that more Nigerians are beginning to realise the power they hold in shaping governance. “We’re not there but we’re on our way and in 15 years we’ll have more citizens who have occupied the office of the citizen.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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