Civic Participation in Nigeria’s Future – JSS3 Social & Citizenship Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Civic participation is the active involvement of citizens in the affairs of their community and country to make things better.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define civic participation in your own words.
2. Name the three areas of civic participation: elections, governance and development.
3. State the roles of a good citizen in the electoral process.
4. List ways citizens can take part in governance.
5. Explain how taxes, self-help and protecting public property develop Nigeria.

What is civic participation?

Civic participation means getting involved in how your community and country are run.

• Meaning: asking “How can I help make things better?” instead of only complaining.
• Who takes part: every citizen, including a JSS3 student who is a citizen in training.
• When it starts: the future of Nigeria begins with what we do today, not 20 or 30 years from now.

What are the areas of civic participation?

There are three main areas of civic participation: elections, governance and development.

1. Elections: choosing the right “architects” (leaders) for our country.
2. Governance: making sure the architects do their work correctly.
3. Development: helping to lay the bricks and paint the walls ourselves.

How do citizens participate in elections?

An election is the process by which citizens choose their leaders by voting.

• The “job interview” idea: citizens are the bosses and politicians are the applicants.
• Why it matters: if citizens do not show up for the interview, the wrong person may be hired.

What are your roles in the electoral process?

• Registration: at 18, get your Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). It is your “power” in a small plastic card.
• Voting: go out and vote on election day. One vote may seem small, but when millions think “my vote does not count”, the wrong leaders win.
• Rejecting violence: a good citizen does not fight for any politician. Encourage peaceful voting.
• Saying “No” to bribery: if you sell your vote for 5,000 Naira, you have sold your right to complain for the next four years.

How do citizens participate in governance?

Participation in governance means keeping watch on how leaders use public money and power.

• Not the end: governance does not stop after the election. The election is only the beginning.

What are the ways to participate in governance?

1. Staying informed: read the news and know who your Local Government Chairman is. You cannot change what you do not know.
2. Petitions and letters: write a polite letter to your representative about a problem in your street. This is your right.
3. Town hall meetings: attend meetings where leaders talk to the people. They help you speak your mind.
4. Social media advocacy: use your phone to highlight issues. Be respectful, tell the truth and never spread “fake news”.

How do citizens participate in development?

Development is the improvement of a community or country, and it is “our work”, not “government work” alone.

• Why we cannot wait: we cannot expect the President to sweep our streets or fix every light bulb.

What are the ways citizens contribute to development?

• Paying taxes: taxes and levies give government the money to build hospitals and schools.
• Community service: this is called “self-help”. If a small bridge in your village breaks, the community can fix it together instead of waiting years for help.
• Protecting public property: do not steal cables or destroy street lights. When we protect them, the country saves money.
• Education and skills: studying hard and learning a trade builds Nigeria’s “human capital”, which means the knowledge and skills of its people. A skilled nation is a rich nation.

What can a JSS3 student do now?

A JSS3 student can practise civic participation in school and at home before reaching voting age.

• Take part in school life: vote honestly and peacefully in class or school elections.
• Keep surroundings clean: join clean-up and sanitation duties at school and at home.
• Protect school property: do not write on walls or break desks and windows.
• Stay informed: follow the news and ask questions about how leaders serve the people.
• Check before sharing: do not pass on information you are not sure is true.
• Learn: study hard and learn useful skills.

What is the message for Nigeria’s future?

Nigeria will be what its citizens make of it.

• If we are lazy and dishonest: the country will stay poor.
• If we are active, honest and hardworking: Nigeria will become a giant that the whole world respects.

What should citizens do in each area?

Evaluation

1. Define civic participation.
2. Why is it a mistake to sell your vote during an election?
3. Mention two ways you can participate in governance even if you are not a politician.
4. What is “self-help” in community development?
5. How does protecting a street light in your area help Nigeria’s future?

Assignment

Write a short letter to your Local Government Chairman about one problem in your street, such as a broken street light or a blocked drain. Then list two things your community could do to help solve it.