Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim will headline the National Conference on the Future of Democracy in Nigeria, organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA), organisers confirmed on Monday.
The high-level meeting, themed “Sustaining Democratic Growth Beyond the Polls for Effective Governance”, takes place on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 at the NILDS Conference Hall along Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway, Abuja. PAACA said the conference will convene policymakers, civil-society leaders, academics and youth advocates from across the country to examine institutional reforms and durable civic engagement.
“Dr Hashim’s voice remains critical in shaping a vision of democracy that endures beyond elections,” PAACA Executive Director Ezenwa Nwagwu said in a statement. “His insights will help chart pathways for building stronger institutions capable of delivering justice, prosperity and stability for all Nigerians.”
Olawepo-Hashim is scheduled to deliver a keynote on “The Future of Democracy in Nigeria: Building Institutions that Outlast Elections.” The organisers say the address will dissect core challenges to democratic consolidation and proffer pragmatic reform options aimed at strengthening accountability, rule of law and participatory governance.
PAACA expects the conference to move debate from episodic electoral contests to long-term institutional design, focusing on resilience in public institutions, improved civic education, anti-corruption measures and mechanisms to protect minority rights. “We must ensure democracy is not mere periodic voting but a continuous system that serves citizens rather than power brokers,” the statement added.
Observers say the timing of the conference is significant given rising public concern over electoral credibility, governance gaps and shrinking civic space. Analysts expect discussions to stress the need for legislative and administrative reforms, as well as concrete roadmaps for civic participation beyond campaign seasons.
The conference will feature panel sessions, policy papers and stakeholder round-tables designed to convert ideas into actionable recommendations for government and civil society. PAACA has invited national institutions and international partners to engage with the outcome document that organisers plan to submit to relevant authorities.
