Nigeria, UNDP Sign Regional Democracy Pact As West Africa Seeks Home-Grown Solutions
At a moment when democratic uncertainty is deepening across West Africa, Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have launched a new mechanism aimed at rebuilding public trust, strengthening institutions, and restoring stability in the sub-region.
The Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD), signed in Abuja by Foreign Affairs Minister Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and UNDP Resident Representative Ms Elsie Attafuah, signals a major shift toward African-led, African-owned democratic transformation.
Tuggar said the initiative was designed to confront eroding trust, contested elections and shrinking civic space through home-grown solutions tailored to African realities, rather than imported systems that often fail to take root.
Key pillars of the RPD include strengthening electoral bodies, deploying early-warning systems against unconstitutional transitions, empowering youth and civil society, and combating election-related misinformation.
The framework also aligns with Agenda 2063 and SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.
“Nigeria is honoured to champion this effort,” Tuggar said. “Democracy must deliver. And today, we commit to making that a reality for West Africans.”
He emphasised that the RPD is open to all West African nations, beyond ECOWAS, describing it as a regional public good that draws from global best practice while remaining firmly rooted in African values.
UNDP’s Elsie Attafuah praised Nigeria’s leadership, saying the RPD represents a bold step in shaping a more inclusive and resilient regional future.
“It is not merely a programme,” she said. “It is a compact of values, African-led, regionally anchored, and globally significant.”
She outlined the framework’s four focus areas: strengthening democratic institutions, expanding citizen participation (especially for women, youth and persons with disabilities), promoting credible elections, and fostering regional cooperation.
ECOWAS Commission President Dr Omar Touray, represented by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said the RPD comes at a time when the social contract in many states is “unravelling at the seams.”
He described the initiative as a timely tool to support accountable and resilient political systems.
Senior Presidential Adviser Amb. Sola Enikanolaye reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment, calling the RPD central to Nigeria’s role in shaping the region’s democratic future.
Goodwill messages, including one from Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner, Julius Sandy, reinforced expectations that Nigeria’s leadership will help steer West Africa towards a more stable and inclusive democratic path.
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