Nigeria, UNDP Launch Regional Partnership to Boost Democracy in West Africa

… Nigeria is not only shaping the regional democratic landscape, but also charting path for Africa-led, Africa-owned transformation- Attafuah

Oru Leonard 

The Federal Government of Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have signed a landmark agreement to strengthen democratic governance in West Africa.

The Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), initiative aims to address challenges facing democracy in the region, including disputed elections, shrinking civic freedoms, and eroding public trust.

The partnership seeks to bolster electoral bodies, empower youth and civil society, and combat election misinformation. It will also provide a platform for West African countries to share experiences and best practices in promoting democracy.

The initiative is expected to benefit all West African nations, promoting inclusive, accountable, and resilient political systems.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to democratic values and regional stability. The RPD is aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 16, focusing on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

“The initiative will address challenges like eroding public trust, disputed elections, and shrinking civic freedoms through African-led strategies. The core elements would include bolstering electoral bodies, early-warning systems against unconstitutional changes, empowering youth and civil society, and combating election misinformation,” Tuggar said.

He also disclosed that the RPD would build platforms for cooperation across West Africa so member states can learn from each other and solve challenges together. He added the programme would directly support the achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and will help rebuild confidence in democracy across our subregion.

“Democracy must deliver. And today, we commit to making that a reality for West Africans”, Tuggar emphasized, expressing appreciation to the UN’s Office in Nigeria partnership, technical guidance and abiding confidence on Nigeria’s leadership

He said RPD was home-grown, yet globally informed mechanism and African solution to African challenge.

In her remarks during the inauguration, the Resident Representative of UNDP Nigeria, Ms Elsie Attafuah said the RPD embodied Nigeria’s continental leadership.

Stressing that UNDP and by extension, the UN’s family is commitment to work beside governments that dare to imagine a stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient West Africa.

“Today’s milestone signals that Nigeria is not only shaping the regional democratic landscape, but also charting path for Africa-led, Africa-owned transformation.

”The Regional Partnership for Democracy is not merely a programme. It is a compact of values.

“It is African-led, regionally anchored, and globally significant, grounded in our belief that the access to Africa’s definite challenges lies within Africa itself.”

She explained four pillars of the RPD to be aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and public accountability, broadening inclusive citizen participation, especially for women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Others include, promoting credible and transparent electoral systems, to foster regional cooperation and peer learning so that democracy delivers for the people of West Africa.

On his part, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Touray. said the RPD initiative is committed to accompanying member states in advancing democracy, good governance, development, and the Rule of Law across Africa with the West African Regional Hub domiciled in Nigeria.

Touray was represented by ECOWAS Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah.

“It is being launched when the social contract between the state and the citizenry is unravelling at the seams, because of democracy as practised in Africa and in our sub-region is notoriously thin.

“This is in terms of delivering on dividends, basic infrastructure, and social safety net for the vulnerable, not to talk about safety and security.

“The ECOWAS Commission, therefore, sees this initiative, which is aimed at promoting inclusive, accountable, and resilient political systems across the region as laudable, as it has the potential to contribute to regional efforts in protecting democratic governance,” Touray said.

Amb. Sola Enikanolaye, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, expressed President Bola Tinubu’s support to the initiative.

He said Federal Government was committed to the growth of democracy in Nigeria and West Africa.

Goodwill messages were taken from Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Julius Sandy, among others while vote of thanks by Amb. Dunoma Ahmed, Petrmanent-Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.