EU–IDEA, Stakeholders Call for Urgent Review of Social Development Act, Seek National Alignment

By: Michael Mike

The European Union- International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (EU-IIDEA), as well as relevant stakeholders has called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s Social Development Act (SDA), insisting that it may be impossible to achieve inclusive growth or protect vulnerable groups in the country under the current fragmented framework.

The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja at the National SDA summit, organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IIDEA), a programme funded by the European Union under its CSOs-Bridge Strengthening Project, in Abuja.

The SD Act was first conceptualised in the 1970s and enacted in 2004 as the central framework for coordinated and inclusive social development in the country.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Children, Gender and Social Development, Valentina Enih, while delivering the keynote address, decried that the existing Act, originally enacted as Decree 12 in 1974 and later reissued in 2004, does not any longer reflects the country’s realities.

She described the Act aa older than many of people in the hall, insisting that outdated provisions and emerging social challenges demand urgent reform.

She also stressed that unity among civil society organisations (CSOs) remained essential for progress, adding that personal interests often overshadowed collective objectives.

She noted that: “One stick is easily broken, but a bundle of broomsticks is not. We must speak with one voice,” while appealing to lawmakers to increase funding for ministries responsible for women affairs, poverty eradication and social protection, added that: “Many times, we use our personal resources just to ensure the work is done.”

On his part, the Chairman of the House Committee on Civil Society Organisations and Development Partners, Hon. Victor Obuzor acknowledged the legislative gaps that have hindered effective coordination of social development nationwide.

He said the National Assembly had made the Act’s review a priority, noting that: “Fragmentation, institutional reassignments and multiple regulatory frameworks have weakened the effectiveness of the Social Development Act.

“Our Committee is reviewing historical gaps, engaging stakeholders and supporting the development of a modernised civil society regulatory bill.”

He said the revised law would create clearer lines of authority, harmonise federal and state mandates and institutionalise civil society participation.

The Deputy Director at the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Peter Audu, said the forum aligns with federal reforms targeting gender equality, social protection and national cohesion.

He noted that the government was committed to building stronger collaboration across ministries, development partners and state institutions.

“This forum provides an important opportunity to consider proposed amendments and develop a national coalition for sustainable financing and measurable results,” he said.

The CEO of the Accountability and Transparency Initiative, Dr. Fumi Akinyele, called for the revised law to embed gender responsiveness from the design stage.

She noted that many rural women were excluded from social protection programmes due to requirements such as smartphones, bank verification numbers and digital literacy.

“Inclusion must go beyond words. We need clear definitions, gender-responsive budgeting and disaggregated data. Committees must be balanced so that different voices are heard,” she said.

The Chairman of the Anambra Civil Society Network, Prince Chris Azor, shared experiences illustrating the challenges faced by sub-national CSOs, including inconsistent regulations that once led to the closure of community organisations’ bank accounts.

“We were stranded. Even registration processes were unclear. When grassroots operators cannot function, you are shrinking the civic space,” he said.

He urged that the amended Act provide states with a clear legal framework for social protection and civil society participation. “We want a standing law that expands the civic space and ensures citizens are part of governance.”

EU–IDEA, Stakeholders Call for Urgent Review of Social Development Act, Seek National Alignment

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Agricultural Integration

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called for stronger regional coordination to boost agricultural productivity, enhance trade, and protect the environment across West Africa.

He made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at the opening of the ECOWAS Initiative on Economic Integration through Trade, Environment and Agriculture—an interlinked series of policy dialogues convened by the ECOWAS Commission.

The meetings brought together the Directorates of Trade, Environment and Agriculture, along with ministers, development partners and technical experts from across the region.

Kyari noted that the engagements are crucial for shaping the policies and systems that determine the economic trajectory of West Africa.

He stressed that agriculture, trade and environmental management must be treated as one interconnected system, noting that agricultural goods constitute a significant portion of West Africa’s intra-regional trade but remain vulnerable to climate shocks, land degradation and water scarcity.

He said: “With agriculture driving regional trade and the environment sustaining our productivity, none of these sectors can function in isolation,” urging member states to strengthen mechanisms that support farmers and deepen market integration.

Kyari highlighted ongoing efforts at both regional and continental levels to promote predictable, rules-based trade, referencing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) as vital tools for expanding market access.

He also reaffirmed the importance of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and ECOWAS’ own agricultural blueprint, ECOWAP, which has guided regional planning since 2005. Both frameworks, he said, align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for food security and economic transformation.

Nigeria, he added, has established its Agriculture Sector Working Group to coordinate national agricultural development under the Post-Malabo CAADP commitments and ahead of the Kampala Declaration (2026–2035). The platform brings together government agencies, researchers, private sector players, farmer organisations, civil society groups, and development partners to harmonise planning and track accountability.

The Minister while reflecting on his personal history with the regional bloc, recalled serving 25 years ago on the Nigerian team that helped set up the ECOWAS Parliament, where he became the body’s first Questor. He described Nigeria’s role in hosting the Parliament as a point of national pride and a symbol of the country’s enduring commitment to regional integration.

He noted that Nigeria is pursuing comprehensive reforms through the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), which links technology, farmer support, market efficiencies and institutional changes under one framework. As NATIP approaches its midterm review, Nigeria is working to align it with upcoming regional commitments under the Kampala Declaration.

This week’s ECOWAS sessions are expected to address issues central to food production, including fertilizer quality control, soil health interventions, and a regional fertilizer market strategy. The technical follow-up meetings on ECOWAP implementation will continue into early December.

Kyari described fertilizer as the “single most expensive but most impactful input” for African farmers, warning that poor quality fertilizer or high prices directly threaten regional food output. He underscored the need for harmonized standards and stronger quality enforcement across West Africa.

He also disclosed that Nigeria recently launched the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme, which provides soil-specific nutrient guides, enhances fertilizer use efficiency, and establishes a national soil-health data platform. The initiative is expected to strengthen domestic food production and support regional coordination.

He noted that agriculture contributes more than 25 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and remains the country’s largest employer, Kyari noted. He argued that strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector inevitably boosts food resilience and market opportunities across the region.

The minister reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to making food security a central pillar of Nigeria’s national agenda, adding that the administration’s focus aligns with ECOWAS’ broader goal of a self-sufficient and economically integrated West Africa.

Kyari emphasized that achieving the region’s aspirations will require active participation from farmers, pastoralists, youth, women, private sector players, researchers and civil society groups. He urged member states to intensify policy coordination, upgrade standards and expand knowledge-sharing.

“West Africa’s strength will be defined by the strength of its collaboration,” he said, pledging Nigeria’s continued commitment to shared regional goals.

He expressed hope that the Abuja engagements would help translate regional ambitions into functional systems capable of driving sustainable growth across the ECOWAS space.

Also, the Federal Government has expressed its readiness to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Action Plan to confront poor plastic waste disposal in the subregion.

Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the promise at the opening ceremony of the validation of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on plastic management and the ECOWAS initiative towards economic integration through trade, environment and agriculture.

He said poor plastic waste disposal is posing major risks to food security in the ECOWAS sub-region.

Lawal said: “Across the ECOWAS sub-region, it has been estimated that over 2 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, with a significant percentage ending up in waterways, drainage channels, ocean bodies or open dumps,” the minister said, adding that this poses major risks to food security, climate resilience, public health and economic livelihoods.

“The validation of this Regional Action Plan, therefore, provides us with a harmonised framework for: Transitioning to sustainable plastic production and consumption systems; Strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms; Advancing circular economy value chains; Promoting regional standards, monitoring and compliance systems; and Supporting research, innovation and green job creation,” he said.

The Minister while acknowledging that the ECOWAS is championing an integrated approach that ensures trade policies, agricultural systems, environmental standards, and industrialisation, pledged that “Nigeria fully aligns with the objectives of this regional action plan.”

He said the Federal Ministry of Environment continues to strengthen national policies and regulatory frameworks, saying, “We remain committed to working collaboratively with all ECOWAS Member States to harmonise regional standards, promote knowledge exchange, and build capacity for effective implementation.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting, the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja, referencing the 2024 FAO State of Food Security Report, said that 12% of the West African population is food insecure.

“The causes can be attributed to adverse effects of climate change, poor functioning of regional markets, policy incoherence, and restrictive trade policies, as well as conflicts,” she said, adding that the ECOWAS is committed to advancing regional strategies that promote renewable energy, sustainable land use, and resilience against climate shocks.

She said the ECOWAS Commission, through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, is implementing a portfolio of strategic projects aimed at strengthening industrial development, promoting trade, boosting agricultural productivity, improving food and nutritional security, and accelerating inclusive economic growth in all member states.

“These initiatives aim to give operational content to ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the broader objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.”

She said, “Agriculture remains the backbone of our economies, employing millions and ensuring food security. Guided by the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), our interventions aim to modernize production, strengthen value chains, and promote agribusiness that is inclusive and competitive.

“Furthermore, we are advancing the West Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health initiatives, which are critical for improving productivity, restoring degraded lands, and ensuring sustainable food systems.

“By investing in soil health and fertiliser access, we are laying the foundation for resilient agriculture that can feed our people and create jobs for our youth and women,” she said.

Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Regional Agricultural Integration

Youth Organisation Calls on Nigerians to Take Collective Responsibility for Peace, Unity, Security

By: Michael Mike

Nigerians have been asked to take collective responsibility for sustaining peace, unity and security of the country in order to ward off threat of terrorism, banditry and those calling for the fragmentation of the country.

The advice was given by the Director General of the City Boy Movement (CBM), Hon. Tosin Shoga, during a briefing on the forthcoming 2025 Renewed Hope Unity Summit & Festival.

Shoga while delivering a message during a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, where he reaffirmed the movement’s role as a key partner in the national initiative, said the summit comes at a critical period in Nigeria’s history.

Addressing journalists, civil society groups, youth leaders, religious institutions and representatives of partner organizations—including the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, the Jennifer Serrano Unity & Peace Foundation and The Unity Project Nigeria, Shoga said the country continues to grapple with social, economic and security pressures that challenge its cohesion, adding that but the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu serves as a reminder that the nation’s strength is rooted in the determination and shared values of its people.

Shoga commended the Federal Government and security agencies for ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and foster national stability, emphasizing that achieving long-term peace and unity requires active participation from citizens across all sectors.

He said: “Peace is not the job of government alone, and unity cannot rest solely on leaders. Security is a collective responsibility. Every Nigerian must play a part.”

He urged religious leaders to preach tolerance, traditional rulers to strengthen community dialogue, and young people to position themselves as drivers of innovation and nation-building. He also called on the business community to adopt ethical practices that contribute to social stability, and on civil society and the media to uphold truth and responsible reporting.

Shoga reiterated that the City Boy Movement’s involvement in the Unity Summit and Festival aligns with its core mandate of promoting youth inclusion and national orientation.

He highlighted the movement’s ongoing work in mobilizing young people nationwide, encouraging peaceful engagement, and supporting initiatives that reinforce security and unity. CBM, he said, will continue working closely with partner organizations to promote responsible citizenship and strengthen peacebuilding structures at the grassroots level.

The DG appealed to Nigerians to view the upcoming summit as more than a ceremonial gathering, but as a catalyst for renewed commitment to nation-building. He cautioned against hate speech, political incitement and acts that undermine social harmony.

He said: “We must reject division, incitement and violence. Our future depends on the choices we make today.”

With preparations underway for the 2025 Renewed Hope Unity Summit & Festival, Shoga said the event aims to rebuild public trust, deepen civic engagement and promote values that strengthen the social fabric.

He said: “The City Boy Movement remains committed to working hand in hand with government and partners to build a safer, more united Nigeria,” he said. “Peace begins with us. Unity begins with us. Security begins with us.”

He called for nationwide support and prayed for continued blessings on the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On her part, the convener of the Summit, Mrs. Jennifer Serrano said all is set for a successful staging of the Summit and Festival which she promised will bring youth from all over the country to address the issue of insecurity and what their place is.

She said the youth will be given opportunities to be in the same room with security and military chiefs to address the issues of insecurity and proffer solutions to them.

She said also expected are traditional and religious leaders.

Youth Organisation Calls on Nigerians to Take Collective Responsibility for Peace, Unity, Security