Obi Commends 25 Years of ActionAid Impact, Warns of Rising National Challenges
Abuja, Nigeria — Peter Obi has commended ActionAid Nigeria for its two and a half decades of service and measurable impact, while warning that the country continues to face deepening challenges that require stronger advocacy and people-centred governance.
Speaking during the organisation’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja on Thursday, Obi described ActionAid’s work since the year 2000 as a testament to what institutions can achieve when they act with integrity, prioritise human development, and remain committed to social justice.
He noted that ActionAid’s interventions in poverty reduction, community development, women’s empowerment, and human rights have strengthened democratic participation and amplified the voices of vulnerable citizens across Nigeria.
However, Obi stressed that despite the organisation’s achievements, Nigeria’s current realities—marked by insecurity, widening inequality, declining productivity, and a growing trust deficit—mean that the work ahead is even more demanding.
“Although ActionAid Nigeria has achieved so much over the past twenty-five years, in truth, your real work has only just begun,” he said, urging the organisation to intensify its engagement with communities and deepen advocacy for accountability.
He emphasised that the future of Nigeria depends on stronger civic institutions, improved transparency, and a governance system that measures progress by tangible improvements in citizens’ lives, not political rhetoric.
Obi also called for a renewed national commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to quality education, healthcare, and equal opportunity—regardless of birthplace or socioeconomic background.
He praised ActionAid’s consistency and courage in speaking truth to power, urging the organisation to stay the course in its mission to empower communities and promote service-oriented leadership.
“Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice is a lived reality, where no one is left behind, and where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive,” Obi said.
The event concluded with renewed pledges from ActionAid Nigeria and its partners to sustain their efforts toward strengthening democracy, protecting rights, and improving lives across the country.
