Abuja | April 14, 2025 — The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the National Assembly’s proposal to impose fines and jail terms on Nigerians who fail to vote in elections, calling the bill “ridiculous” and “laughable.”

In a statement released on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, NANS National Vice President for Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse, expressed outrage over the bill, urging lawmakers to abandon the proposal or face the wrath of Nigerian students.

“NANS views the proposed bill by the National Assembly to impose a fine and a jail term on eligible Nigerians who do not vote as not only ridiculous but laughable,” Akinbodunse said. “The bill, if passed, will make Nigeria a laughingstock among the comity of nations in the world. Where in the world does a non-participant in an election get jailed or fined?”

The Proposed Bill

The bill, titled “Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022,” was introduced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. The proposed amendment seeks to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians of majority age during national and state elections.

If passed, the bill would impose a fine of N100,000, a six-month jail term, or both, on any voter who fails to participate without a valid reason. The bill aims to combat voter apathy, a persistent issue in Nigerian elections, by encouraging greater civic participation.

NANS Criticizes Bill as Misplaced Priority

Akinbodunse argued that the bill was a “misplaced priority” for the National Assembly, suggesting that it ignored more pressing electoral reforms that would genuinely address issues such as electoral fraud and vote manipulation.

“Voting is a constitutional right, not something that can be imposed, especially when citizens feel their votes do not count,” she said. “Rather than focusing on punitive measures, the National Assembly should be working to strengthen the electoral process and ensure that elections are free, fair, and transparent.”

Akinbodunse also highlighted the ongoing irregularities in the country’s electoral processes, noting that these loopholes had contributed to widespread disillusionment among voters.

Call to Action

NANS announced plans to mobilize against the bill, calling on civil society organizations, labor unions, and other stakeholders to join the campaign. The student body vowed to resist what they called a “needless law” that would impose unnecessary restrictions on Nigerians.

“As an umbrella organization for students, NANS will lead a massive mobilization against this proposed bill,” Akinbodunse declared. “We urge civil society groups, stakeholders, and organized labor to rise against this latest charade by the National Assembly.”

Growing Debate

The bill, which has stirred significant debate across the country, aims to address Nigeria’s persistent problem of low voter turnout. Despite this, many Nigerians remain skeptical about the proposal, with critics arguing that it is an attempt to sidestep the real challenges of electoral integrity and public trust in the democratic system.