Electoral Bridges: Nigeria, Ethiopia Meet for Democratic Progress

Janet Samuel

In a landmark move to foster democratic growth and electoral excellence, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has welcomed a high-profile delegation from Ethiopia’s National Election Board (NEBE) and the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations for Elections (CECOE).The seven-day visit, which kicked off on October 6, 2025, is designed to facilitate a comprehensive exchange of ideas and best practices in election management, with a focus on strengthening democratic institutions across Africa.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in his opening remark emphasized the significance of inter-institutional collaboration in deepening democratic governance.”This visit marks a major milestone in our shared commitment to democratic progress. By learning from each other’s experiences, we can build more robust and resilient electoral systems that truly serve the needs of our citizens,” Prof. Yakubu said.

The Ethiopian delegation, led by NEBE Deputy Chairman, Mr. Tesfaye Neway, and CECOE Executive Director, Mr. Abera Hailemariam, will engage in nine technical sessions with INEC officials, covering critical aspects of the electoral process, including voter registration, stakeholder engagement, and election monitoring.
According to the chairman, the visit also includes a firsthand observation of Nigeria’s ongoing voter registration exercise in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), ahead of the February 2026 Area Council Elections.By forging stronger ties and sharing knowledge, Nigeria and Ethiopia aim to create a ripple effect of democratic progress across the African continent.

Earlier, the NEBE Deputy Chairman Mr. Tesfaye Neway said the visit was part of a broader effort to strengthen partnerships between electoral institutions in Africa.

“Our presence here is an exposure visit aimed at building collaboration between our institutions. We believe democracy grows stronger when institutions learn from one another,” he said.

The Executive Director of CECOE, Mr. Abera Hailemariam, highlighted the importance of partnership between civil society and electoral bodies in promoting voter education and public confidence in the democratic process.