Two women sitting and talking with one another.

Advocating for a Vocal Civil Society in Nigeria .

Democracy and Governance | Gender Equality and Social Inclusion | Women's Empowerment | Disability-Inclusive Development | Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning | Civil Society, Civic Engagement, and Independent Media | Anti-corruption
Africa

Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) Program

Project Dates: January 2014 - January 2019
Nigerian citizens need more tools and resources to learn how to productively contribute to reform at the local, state, and national levels.

Decades of authoritarian leadership in Nigeria have done little to promote good governance or collaboration between governmental institutions and nongovernmental organizations. To support the implementation of key democratic reforms in Nigeria, the USAID Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement (SACE) program helped civil society organizations and citizens become more involved in reform processes. Encouraging citizens to participate in governance and advocate for themselves, the program equipped them to better influence institutions that serve public interests. SACE was dedicated especially to boosting the participation of marginalized populations — such as women, youth, and the disabled — and emphasizing the importance of their leadership and innovation.

5,333

Nigerians trained in unique subjects.

137

laws, policies, and administrative procedures advanced.

6

Nigerian CSOs certified capable of receiving direct USAID funding.

Project Goals


  • Aid civil society organizations as they create initiatives that promote democracy and good governance
  • Strengthen partnerships between civil society organizations and the Nigerian government to promote its transparency, accountability, and responsiveness
  • Increase public awareness, discourse, and support for key democratic issues, particularly issues related to accountability and good governance
  • Build partnerships between business membership organizations and civil society organizations in the Niger Delta to initiate inclusive economic reforms that lead to equitable growth
  • Work with targeted Nigerian organizations to improve their ability to receive USAID funding
A man sitting at a table and speaking.

Designing Real-Time Advocacy Strategies

Charles Abani, Chief of Party for the USAID Nigeria Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement project, discusses the design of real-time advocacy strategies and the impact it can have on democratic reform.

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