Here's why:

* Nitrogen's electronic configuration: Nitrogen has 5 electrons in its outer shell. To achieve a stable octet (8 electrons), it needs to gain three more electrons.

* Covalent bonding: Nitrogen achieves this stability by sharing electrons with other atoms through covalent bonds.

* Examples: In ammonia (NH₃), nitrogen forms three covalent bonds with three hydrogen atoms. In nitrogen gas (N₂), each nitrogen atom forms a triple bond with the other nitrogen atom.