Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening democratic governance across Africa through a preventive and partnership-driven approach.
Speaking at the High-Level Ministerial Forum on Regional Partnership for Democracy held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, emphasized that democracy on the continent must go beyond survival and deliver tangible results that restore public trust.
The forum was convened on the margins of the Thirty-Ninth Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, with participation from the United Nations Development Programme and other development partners.
Minister Tuggar noted that while democratic ideals remain widely supported by African citizens, public confidence in democratic institutions has been weakened by governance deficits, socio-economic challenges, and declining institutional performance.
“Democracy must do more than survive; it must command trust through delivery,” he stated.
He explained that Nigeria, in partnership with the UNDP, launched the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) in November 2025 as a preventive initiative aimed at strengthening democratic systems before crises emerge.
According to Tuggar, the RPD is designed to enhance the capacity, independence, and credibility of democratic institutions in order to prevent unconstitutional changes of government.
He stressed that democratic threats in West Africa stem not only from military interventions but also from weakened institutions, erosion of accountability, exclusionary politics, and a growing disconnect between governments and citizens.
The Minister warned that governance systems not rooted in local ownership and public trust are inherently fragile and vulnerable to both internal decay and external interference.
Outlining the way forward, Tuggar identified three critical priorities for sustaining democracy:
- Strengthening independent institutions such as electoral bodies, judiciaries, legislatures, and oversight agencies.
- Aligning democratic governance with tangible socio-economic outcomes, including job creation, service delivery, and equitable development.
- Expanding inclusive participation, particularly for youth and women, through civic education, leadership development, and responsible digital engagement.
He emphasized that democracy must be experienced not only at the ballot box but in the everyday lives of citizens.
The Foreign Affairs Minister called for deeper collaboration through institutional capacity building, peer-review mechanisms, civic education programmes, and coordinated support with Regional Economic Communities and relevant African Union organs.
He described the RPD as a flexible platform anchored in African leadership and national ownership, welcoming diverse partnerships aligned with regional priorities.
Tuggar reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic governance, regional cooperation, and multilateral partnership.
“Democracy in Africa can be safeguarded most effectively through prevention rather than reaction, through partnership rather than prescription, and through legitimacy grounded in public trust,” he said.
