As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 general elections, hundreds of young Nigerians gathered at the Gatefield Caustival 2026, a social justice arts and film festival held in Abuja, expressing concerns about democratic participation, declining trust in political institutions, and barriers to women’s leadership.
Convened under the theme “We Decide,” the festival brought together artists, filmmakers, activists, researchers and citizens to engage with questions of power, inclusion and civic responsibility through screenings, exhibitions, performances and conversations examining the realities shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.
One of the festival’s most striking moments came during the mock voting exercise that was deliberately disrupted, inviting attendees to reflect on public trust in democratic processes and the vulnerabilities of electoral participation.
Across the festival’s artistic and civic programming, three themes consistently emerged: barriers to women’s participation in public life, declining trust in political institutions, and the need for stronger civic and historical awareness among citizens.
Women’s Participation
Conversations on women’s participation highlighted the impact of online abuse, political violence and entrenched social norms that continue to discourage women from seeking leadership positions and engaging fully in public life.
Nabilah Usman, Producer of the documentary Double Minority, spoke about the consequences of digital violence for women seeking to build careers and participate in public conversations.
“Digital violence makes women leave the digital space, which means they can’t be out there to talk about their work, campaign for themselves and make money,” she said.
“These physical threats, digital threats, they take a toll on women’s mental health when they want to run for office,” added Fakhriyyah Hashim, a gender justice activist.
Discussions on women’s political participation further examined the structural and cultural barriers limiting women’s representation in leadership and decision-making spaces.
According to Solape Sonuga, Curator of the Abuja Global Shapers, “the overall barrier to women’s participation in politics is not money.” She said that women’s participation was shaped by norms that must be addressed, “a cultural problem, rooted in gender disparity.”
Participants also reflected on the personal costs of political engagement for women, including online harassment, physical threats and psychological pressure.
Strengthening Democratic Culture
Beyond questions of representation, speakers emphasised the importance of civic education and historical awareness in strengthening democratic culture.
Salma Ja’eh, a documentary producer and cultural archivist, argued that understanding Nigeria’s political history is essential to meaningful civic participation.
“If we actively go out of our way and seek knowledge about Nigeria’s political history, it will make you want to sit up.”
Attendees further examined the relationship between citizens and political actors, noting how limited engagement between election cycles can contribute to public distrust and transactional political behaviour.
Reflecting on the state of citizen-politician engagement, Fakhriyyah Hashim observed: “People extract as much as they can from politicians because they know they only see them once every four years.”
The conversations formed part of Caustival 2026’s broader effort to create spaces for civic dialogue, artistic reflection, and public engagement around the governance challenges shaping Nigeria’s future.
As Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections, the festival demonstrated the growing appetite among young Nigerians for conversations that extend beyond electoral politics and engage more deeply with the cultural, social and institutional foundations of democracy.
About Caustival:
Caustival is a two-day arts and film festival focused on social justice.
The festival brought together filmmakers, artists, journalists, creators, activists, and citizens for conversations about democracy, culture, power, and the stories that shape public life.
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