The #EndSARS movement forced national attention on unending issues of police brutality and poor governance, and the response across levels of government provided a sudden opportunity to ensure aggrieved persons, especially youth and the vulnerable voices were heard. There was hope that through the judicial panels, justice may be served and social oppressions prevented.

The main objective of the project idea was to — Expand the civic spaces in 3 Nigerian States and the FCT leading to citizens’ increased tracking of the government’s #EndSARS promises and reducing human rights violations. Where petitions are still being received, this consortium proposes to back up the government’s effort in asking aggrieved youths to send in petitions and attend judicial panel hearings in 3 states — Ebonyi, Oyo, Bauchi, and the Federal Capital Territory.

The consortium proposes three solutions —

• ensure that the democratic demands of the movement are kept alive and promises of the government tracked to ensure its fulfilment;
• Mobilise actions that will track human rights violations particularly police brutalities in Nigeria and ensure that appropriate authorities are involved;
• and support Nigerian youths to be better organised and coordinated in demanding a better future.

In states where petitions were still being received, simplified public announcements on last-mile media outlets like radio and social media were used with attention given to local languages. Women and Persons With Disability whose human rights were violated were also targeted with the jingles and encouraged to file petitions. Violated unlettered youths and others were supported to document their petitions and shown where to submit them. We also facilitated legal support for petitioners through partnerships with the local branches of the Nigerian Bar Association.