ActionAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, is marking its 25th year of operations in the country with activities spotlighting its work in governance, social justice, and community development.
The organisation said Arthur Larok, secretary-general of ActionAid International, joined other dignitaries on Tuesday to commemorate the milestone.
The organisation said its interventions over the years have targeted poverty, inequality, corruption, and governance failures by mobilising citizens and engaging public institutions.
It said these efforts have influenced improvements in healthcare, expanded advocacy for quality education, strengthened sustainable agriculture systems, and broadened participation in governance.
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Stakeholders are also expected to reflect on the organisation’s trajectory and outline priorities for the next phase of its work.
Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, the organisation’s director of business development and innovation, said the milestone represents “25 years of salvaging humanity”, adding that the organisation is recommitting itself to its long-term ambitions.
ActionAid Nigeria was established in 2000, coinciding with Nigeria’s return to democratic rule, which the organisation said provided new space for development actors to collaborate with government and communities.
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Charles Abani, the pioneer country director and a former Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) practitioner, was credited with building the organisation’s early credibility among donors and partner communities.
By 2004, Abani had grown the organisation’s £500 seed fund into more than £4 million through support from institutions such as the European Union, DFID, USAID, and the World Bank.
The organisation’s initial work in health and education spurred coalitions like the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) and the Civil Society Consultative Group on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (CiSGHAN), which became central to advocacy in both sectors.
ActionAid Nigeria said its recent programmes now cut across human rights, agriculture, education, health, and governance, with initiatives such as the Citizens’ Led Engagements on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP JUSTICE), which produced the Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP).
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Other interventions include the Strengthening Citizens’ Resistance Against Corruption (SCRAP-C) project, STAR Circles, Poor Education Plus, Family Life and HIV Education, and the Commonwealth Education Fund.
The organisation said its 25th anniversary is also a moment to define the next phase of its humanitarian and development work.
An internal staff gathering was held on Monday to review its journey and discuss the organisation’s long-term plan.
“We not only reflected on our journey so far, but also discussed our vision for the next 25 years, envisioning ActionAid Nigeria at 50 years, transitioning into a wealth-creation organisation,” Ilochi-Kanny said.
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ActionAid Nigeria and the secretary general of ActionAid International are expected to visit a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) today to engage beneficiaries of ongoing programmes.
The organisation said it will on Thursday recognise longstanding partners whose contributions have supported its work across Nigeria.
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