The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria have reaffirmed their joint commitment to advancing democratic governance across West Africa through the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD)—a strategic initiative aimed at promoting inclusive, accountable, and resilient political systems across the sub-region.
During a high-level engagement held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), hosted the UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, for a progress review and strategic dialogue on the RPD initiative.
The engagement took place against the backdrop of growing democratic challenges across West Africa—including unconstitutional changes of government, contested elections, weakening institutions, and a shrinking civic space. These issues underscore the urgent need for regional collaboration to protect and strengthen democratic norms, institutions, and practices.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasized Nigeria’s leadership role within the African Union (AU) in driving regional governance reform. He noted the Ministry’s resolve to work closely with UNDP and other partners to align national strategies with regional frameworks for more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable democratic outcomes.
The RPD provides a platform for African-led, context-specific solutions to democratic challenges. It brings together governments, civil society, academia, media, and development partners to co-design and implement innovative reforms rooted in African values and democratic principles.
UNDP reiterated its support for the RPD through technical assistance, capacity strengthening, research-informed policy development, and monitoring and evaluation. Ms. Attafuah reaffirmed UNDP’s commitment to working with the Nigerian government to expand the initiative’s impact across West Africa.
Nigeria will provide not only political leadership but also a central operational role in designing, implementing, and facilitating knowledge-sharing across the region.
This renewed partnership marks a significant milestone in the RPD’s implementation and reflects Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to democratic resilience, rule of law, and inclusive governance in the West African sub-region.
