25 Years Of Celebrating ActionAid In Nigeria- Obi

Yesterday in Abuja, I was honoured to join ActionAid Nigeria as it marked twenty-five years of consistent service, principled advocacy, and commitment to building a fairer and more just nation. Your journey over the past two and a half decades remains a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when institutions act with integrity, place people at the centre of their mission, and remain committed to measurable impact.

Yesterday’s event was a celebration of purpose, resilience, and measurable results. Since the year 2000, ActionAid Nigeria has demonstrated that when we invest in human capital, stand with the poor, protect the vulnerable, and hold leadership accountable, our society becomes stronger and our democracy more meaningful. Your interventions in social justice, human rights, poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and community development continue to exemplify the values that should guide our national development.

Yet, as we reflect on the current state of our nation – marked by deep systemic challenges, rising inequality, declining productivity, insecurity, and a widening trust deficit – it becomes clear that although ActionAid Nigeria has achieved so much over the past twenty-five years, in truth, your real work has only just begun.

The situation in our country today demands even greater advocacy, deeper engagement with communities, and stronger partnerships to push for the Nigeria we desire and deserve.
A Nigeria where governance is people-centred, where accountability is non-negotiable, and where progress is measured not by rhetoric but by the tangible improvement in the lives of citizens.

As we mark this important milestone, it is evident that the future of Nigeria depends on strengthening institutions like ActionAid, deepening transparency, and building a country where every child, regardless of birthplace, has access to education, healthcare, and opportunity. This must remain our collective mission.

I congratulate ActionAid Nigeria for your steadfastness, your courage, and your commitment to nation-building. I encourage you to continue speaking truth to power, continue empowering communities, and continue reminding all of us that governance must be about service, sacrifice, and measurable outcomes.

Together, we can build a Nigeria that works for all – a Nigeria where justice is not a slogan but a lived reality; where no one is left behind, and where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive.