In Nigeria’s complex and often fragile political landscape, the strength of democracy is constantly tested. Electoral violence, ethnic and religious divisions, weak institutions, and a lack of transparency in governance continue to undermine the country’s progress. These challenges not only erode public trust in leadership but also create fertile ground for conflict and instability. At WANEP-Nigeria, we understand that building sustainable peace requires more than resolving conflicts it requires transforming the systems that give rise to them. That is the vision behind our Democracy and Good Governance programme is to promote a culture of accountable leadership, inclusive political participation, and conflict-sensitive governance that truly serves the people.
We focus on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions by integrating conflict management systems into governance processes at the local, state, and federal levels. WANEP-Nigeria works closely with political stakeholders, civil society organisations, government institutions, and electoral bodies to build their capacity in dialogue, transparency, negotiation, and early response to political tensions. In a country where political competition often turns violent, we promote peaceful political engagement and issue-based politics, especially around election cycles. WANEP-Nigeria has facilitated peace pacts among political candidates, conducted early warning and early response initiatives during elections, and hosted dialogues that bring political leaders, traditional rulers, youth, and women’s groups together to prevent violence and foster unity.
We also recognize that a democracy cannot thrive without the active involvement of those who are often excluded women and young people. Through this programme, WANEP-Nigeria encourages the full participation of women and youth in governance by:
- Providing civic education and leadership training
- Supporting youth-led advocacy and political dialogues
- Creating safe spaces for women to engage in decision-making processes
- Promoting gender equity and youth inclusion in policy formulation
Our approach is rooted in the belief that citizens must not only vote they must be heard, respected, and engaged year-round. From organizing town hall meetings to tracking government accountability at community level, WANEP supports citizens to hold leaders accountable and demand good governance as a right not a privilege. Through sustained advocacy, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder engagement, WANEP-Nigeria continues to strengthen democratic culture and promote governance that is participatory, transparent, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.