In a renewed push to strengthen democratic governance across West Africa, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria have reaffirmed their joint commitment to the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD)—an initiative aimed at building inclusive, accountable, and resilient political institutions across the sub-region.
At a high-level meeting in Abuja, Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) hosted UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah for a strategic review of the RPD’s progress and future direction. The dialogue marked a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to bolster democratic systems, the rule of law, and institutional reform.
“We are not simply advocating for democratic ideals—we are taking concrete steps to institutionalize them,” said Tuggar, emphasizing Nigeria’s role as a regional leader within the African Union. “This is a collective effort, and I commend the UNDP for walking the talk.”
Tuggar also addressed growing threats to democracy in the digital age, warning that the spread of misinformation and disinformation—particularly on social media—has weakened public trust in institutions.
“Democracy assumes the existence of basic truths. When truth becomes blurred, democracy is endangered,” he stated. “That’s why we’re working together to fortify the same institutions we expect to safeguard democracy.”
Ms. Attafuah welcomed Nigeria’s leadership and reaffirmed the UNDP’s commitment to supporting democratic consolidation in the region. “Through the RPD, we’re creating African-led, context-specific solutions that reflect our shared values,” she said.
The RPD provides a collaborative platform for governments, civil society, youth groups, media, academia, and development partners to co-design political reforms. Anchored in Nigeria’s 4D Foreign Policy Strategy—Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Diplomacy—the partnership seeks to promote good governance and regional stability.
UNDP’s support includes technical assistance, institutional capacity building, and monitoring systems designed to evaluate democratic progress. Nigeria is positioned to provide both political leadership and operational direction as the RPD scales across West Africa.
By fostering civic participation and regional cooperation, the initiative aims to ensure long-term political stability through homegrown democratic solutions grounded in African realities.
