Nigeria, UNDP Partners to Strengthen Democracy Across West Africa

By Iyojo Ameh

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria have renewed their commitment to democratic governance in West Africa through the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD)—a collaborative initiative designed to promote inclusive, accountable, and resilient political systems in the sub-region.

During a high-level meeting held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), received the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, for a strategic dialogue and progress review of the RPD initiative.

The engagement reaffirmed Nigeria and UNDP’s shared dedication to deepening democratic principles, strengthening the rule of law, and empowering key institutions such as the executive, legislature, judiciary, and electoral bodies. Expanding civic space and fostering inclusive participation were identified as critical pillars for regional stability and democratic consolidation.

In his remarks, Ambassador Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role within the African Union (AU) and reiterated the country’s resolve to align national policies with regional strategies. He also acknowledged the crucial role of civil society, technical working groups, and development partners in advancing institutional reform.
“We are not simply advocating for democratic ideals—we are taking concrete steps to institutionalize them. This is a collective effort, and I commend the UNDP for walking the talk,” Tuggar stated.

He also highlighted the growing threats to democracy, citing the rise of misinformation, disinformation, and social media manipulation, which have eroded trust in institutions and disrupted the social contract between citizens and leaders.

“Democracy assumes the existence of basic truths. When truth becomes blurred, democracy is endangered,” the Minister added. “That’s why we’re working together to fortify the same institutions we expect to safeguard democracy.”

Ms. Attafuah, in her response, praised the progress made so far through the RPD and reiterated UNDP’s commitment to supporting democratic consolidation across the region.

The Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) provides a platform for African-led, context-specific solutions to the continent’s democratic challenges. It brings together governments, civil society organizations, academia, media, youth groups, and development partners to design innovative reforms rooted in African values and principles.

UNDP’s support includes technical assistance, institutional capacity building, policy development, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Nigeria is set to play a dual role—providing both political leadership and operational guidance—in scaling the initiative across West Africa.

The RPD is a strategic initiative jointly developed by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and UNDP to strengthen governance frameworks and promote democratic values across West Africa. It represents a flagship commitment under Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy Strategy, which prioritizes democracy, development, diaspora engagement, and diplomacy.

The partnership fosters regional cooperation and shared ownership, mobilizing stakeholders from across society to drive democratic reforms. By anchoring its solutions in African realities, the RPD aims to create inclusive, transparent, and resilient governance structures that respond to citizens’ aspirations and uphold constitutional order.

Through capacity development, policy dialogue, and peer learning, the RPD seeks to address the unique challenges facing West African democracies and support long-term political stability.