ABUJA, Nigeria, Sep 9 (IPS) – When I returned to Nigeria after five years, I was struck by the changes – both the challenges and the opportunities. To better understand these dynamics, I visited states across Nigeria.
In Lagos, I saw young people using technology to drive innovation and address societal challenges. In Enugu and Anambra, I saw the transformative power of innovation in education and health, and the critical role of traditional leaders in promoting sustainable development. In the Northwest, I met seven state governors eager to work with the UN on issues ranging from insecurity to climate change.
The economic landscape has changed dramatically, with the devaluation of the currency affecting everyone, but especially the most vulnerable. The new government, in power for just over a year, has implemented the necessary economic reforms aimed at improving the macroeconomic space and the governance of the country’s resources.
As the reforms have yet to deliver results, we are seeing unintended consequences such as high costs of goods and services, especially food, fuel and transportation, which are causing hardship for people, especially the poorest, as the cost of living spirals out of control.
The UN needs to redefine its approach to impact in Nigeria and align our work with the country’s development aspirations. When I took on the role of Resident Coordinator (RC) five months ago, I prioritized high-level engagement with government partners to demonstrate our support and offer the UN’s convening power and resources.
We want to help Nigeria create a new narrative, with Nigeria’s leaders at the helm, one that focuses on opportunities and hope for the future, especially for the youth.
Economic reforms with a human face
While government economic reforms are essential, they must also protect the most vulnerable. The UN in Nigeria supports the implementation of a robust social safety net, and the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) plays a critical role in streamlining these efforts. For example, while the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) both work on aspects of social transfer implementation, the RCO brings them together to ensure coordination, avoid duplication, and maximize the use of resources.
The RCO also fosters key partnerships, such as with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the National Commission on Human Rights (NHRC) and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), to, among others, leverage national capacities and ensure the sustainability of our initiatives.
In the current environment of resource-constrained international development, it is imperative that we harness the collective strengths of UN agencies. By working together, we can more effectively address the multifaceted challenges facing Nigeria and ensure that the most vulnerable are protected during this period of economic transition.
The UN in Nigeria continues to assist with vulnerability assessments, building a strong beneficiary registration system and strengthening the distribution of cash transfers to millions of households, particularly targeting women, youth and persons with disabilities. The RCO plays a critical role in ensuring that these efforts are well-coordinated and impactful.
We bring together the expertise of different UN agencies and leverage the experience of UNICEF, WFP and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in areas such as improving policies, data collection, social registration, vulnerability assessments, communication and monitoring. This collaboration ensures effectiveness and efficiency. We also work with external partners such as the World Bank and the European Union through the Social Protection Development Partners’ Group to leverage their knowledge and resources.
In addition, we hope to support a rapid acceleration of social transfers and more systemic improvements, drawing on the technical capacities of organizations such as UNICEF, WFP, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), the ILO and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), so that we can better reach the poorest populations.
The RCO also facilitates partnerships with government agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and the National Bureau of Statistics to build a strong registration system using innovations such as biometric technology, improving effective monitoring and ensuring that all vulnerable groups are reached.
Recognizing the importance of building trust around the ongoing economic reforms, the UN Information Centre, led by the RC, offered a nationwide and robust communications and advocacy strategy, based on a multi-channel approach to reach everyone. The effort included key partnerships with telecommunications companies, media, the private sector, civil society organizations, and others.
Dealing with displacement
The Northeast, grappling with a protracted humanitarian crisis, understandably has the strongest UN presence in Nigeria. Here, the RCO plays a crucial role in coordinating the diverse efforts of UN agencies, NGOs and the government to address the complex needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and find lasting solutions.
Under the leadership of the RC, the UN country team in Nigeria has been actively working on the Secretary-General’s Agenda for Action on Internal Displacement. Of the 15 countries with the highest number of displaced persons worldwide, Nigeria is the most advanced in planning for durable solutions.
This led to the recent launchof government plans to place over 4 million displaced and returnees on pathways to solutions. By fostering collaboration and strategic planning, the RCO has been instrumental in supporting this government effort.
Collaboration to accelerate the SDGs
The Secretary-General’s recent SDG report underscores the global progress gap. Nigeria, currently ranked 146th out of 167 countries, needs urgent action to accelerate progress toward the goals.
While there have been improvements in health (SDG 3) and water and sanitation (SDG 6), progress is insufficient to meet the goals on time. Given the demographic size and influence in Africa, success in Nigeria could have a ripple effect across the continent.
Therefore, it is time to put an end to business as usual. We must embrace a new era of collaboration, one that harnesses the power of innovation, optimizes scarce resources, and fosters stronger partnerships. Through intensified advocacy and coordinated efforts with the international community, civil society, the private sector, and government, we can unlock Nigeria’s vast potential and accelerate progress toward the SDGs.
Now is the time for transformative change. Together we can create a more sustainable, fair and prosperous future for Nigeria.
This blog was written by Mohamed M. Malick Fall, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria. For more information about the UN’s work in Nigeria, visit nigeria.un.org
Source: UN Development Coordination Office, New York.
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