Abuja: The UN Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the Federal Government of Nigeria to effectively implement the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD) across West Africa. This was announced by Ms. Elsie Attafuah, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, during a high-level briefing with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on the RPD program in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Attafuah emphasized the UNDP’s support for the RPD’s effective implementation, highlighting the partnership’s timeliness and necessity. She stated that the RPD serves as a platform for context-specific and African-led responses to the region’s democratic challenges, labeling it a homegrown initiative. The UNDP’s support will include technical assistance, institutional capacity strengthening, research-informed policy development, and monitoring and evaluation. This commitment aims to strengthen democratic culture, build civic trust, and enhance public institution delivery, ultimately bolstering governance systems.
Ambassador Tuggar highlighted the importance of aligning national strategies with regional frameworks to ensure sustainable governance outcomes and address challenges in the sub-region and Africa at large. He described the RPD as a flagship expression of Nigeria’s dedication to promoting democratic values, constitutional order, and the rule of law in the region. Tuggar emphasized that strengthening democratic institutions is essential, as democracy cannot thrive without truth. He noted the dangers posed by misinformation, disinformation, and the unchecked influence of social media, which threaten democracy when truth becomes obscured.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the RPD is a strategic initiative jointly established by the ministry and UNDP to foster democratic consolidation and strengthen governance systems across the West African sub-region. UNDP, as the UN’s lead agency on international development, works in over 170 countries and territories to end poverty, reduce inequalities, and build resilient institutions.