Nigeria and UN Forge New Path for West African Democracy
In a significant move to bolster democratic governance across West Africa, Nigeria and the United Nations have officially established the Regional Partnership for Democracy (RPD). The landmark agreement was signed during a ceremony in Abuja on Monday, November 17, 2025, with Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar representing the Nigerian government.
A Home-Grown Solution to Governance Challenges
Minister Tuggar emphasized that this initiative underscores Nigeria's dedication to fostering a stable, people-centered democratic environment throughout the continent. He explained that the framework is specifically designed to help African nations address persistent governance issues, including weak institutions, limited citizen participation, and escalating political violence.
"Democracy thrives when it reflects the people's culture and lived experience," Tuggar stated, cautioning that the blind adoption of foreign democratic models often results in institutional weaknesses and political tension. He described the RPD as President Bola Tinubu's significant contribution to fortifying democracy in Africa.
Practical Implementation and Continental Reach
The partnership will focus on several key areas to achieve its objectives:
- Reinforcing electoral systems to ensure credible elections
- Deploying early-warning mechanisms to detect potential crises
- Supporting youth and civil society participation in governance
- Combating disinformation and promoting long-term stability
Tuggar confirmed that the RPD Secretariat will operate from Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while technical teams will be based at the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Abuja. Although Nigeria and the UN are the initial signatories, the agreement remains open to all West African nations and is expected to eventually extend to other African regions seeking sustainable democratic solutions.
The minister urged development partners and friends of Africa to support this initiative, describing it as a credible platform for reversing democratic decline and rebuilding trust in public institutions. "This is an African solution to an African challenge," he affirmed.
The RPD aligns with both the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
