Nigeria Commits To Strengthening Democratic Governance, Regional Cooperation Across Africa

Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening democratic governance, regional cooperation, and multilateral collaboration across Africa.

In a statement issued by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the minister highlighted Nigeria’s position during a high-level Ministerial Forum on Regional Partnership for Democracy, convened by Nigeria on the sidelines of the African Union Summit.

The forum, held in Addis Ababa, brought together ministers from South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Mauritania, alongside diplomats and representatives of the African Union and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Speaking at the event, Tuggar stressed that democracy in Africa is best protected through early, preventive measures rather than reactive interventions.

“Democracy must be reinforced through partnership, not prescription, and anchored on legitimacy derived from public trust. Strengthening democratic systems before they falter is the surest path to securing their future,” he stated.

He noted that while democratic ideals remain widely embraced across Africa, many systems are facing growing strain.

According to him, governance challenges, unmet socio-economic expectations, and declining institutional performance have contributed to weakening public confidence in democratic institutions.

“Democracy on the continent must not merely ensured; it must earn trust through tangible delivery,” Tuggar said.

The minister referenced Nigeria’s collaboration with UNDP in launching the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) in November 2025, describing the initiative as a strategic, preventive mechanism aimed at reinforcing democratic resilience.

Since its inception, Tuggar explained, the RPD has attracted significant interest from African member states, multilateral organisations, and development partners, many of whom are engaging Nigeria on frameworks for cooperation and support.

“Nigeria remains open to additional partners, recognizing that the responsibility of renewing and defending democratic governance is a collective one. As we often say in Africa, a single head cannot carry a heavy load,” he remarked.

He outlined the core priorities of the RPD, which include strengthening the capacity, independence, and credibility of key democratic institutions such as electoral bodies, judiciaries, legislatures, and oversight agencies.

He also underscored the importance of aligning democratic governance with measurable socio-economic outcomes.

“Citizens must experience democracy not only during elections but through improved service delivery, job creation, and social protection,” he said.

Tuggar further highlighted the need for broader inclusion, particularly for youths and women, who represent the majority of Africa’s population but remain underrepresented in governance processes.

He called for sustained investment in civic education, leadership development, and responsible digital engagement to counter misinformation and polarisation.

Additionally, he emphasised that engagement under the RPD framework involves institutional capacity-building, peer-review mechanisms, technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and predictable financing aligned with regional priorities.

The minister also stressed the necessity of stronger coordination with Regional Economic Communities and relevant African Union institutions to ensure policy coherence, complementarity, and long-term sustainability of democratic support initiatives.

PR/Uju Oparaji