Distinguished guests, partners, colleagues, fellow citizens, and members of the press,

Good morning, and welcome.

It is a profound honour to stand before you today at the Media Launch of CHRICED’s Strategic Plan for 2026–2030. This gathering is not merely ceremonial; it is a moment of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the ideals that bind us together as a people. Today, we unveil a vision that seeks to transform challenges into opportunities, despair into hope, and silence into powerful voices for justice.

This plan is more than a document. It is a declaration of purpose, a roadmap for collective action, and a reflection of our shared determination to build a Nigeria where democracy truly serves every citizen. It is a living testament to our belief that governance must be accountable, inclusive, and rooted in the dignity of every human being.

For nearly two decades, CHRICED has walked hand in hand with communities across Nigeria. We have stood with the marginalized, challenged injustice, and amplified the voices of those too often ignored. We have worked to ensure that civic education is not an abstract concept, but a lived reality that empowers citizens to demand accountability and to shape the future of their communities. Today, we build on that legacy with a strategy that confronts the urgent realities of our time and charts a course toward justice, inclusion, and accountability.

The Context We Face

We gather at a moment of profound complexity. The challenges before us are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. They demand courage, clarity, and collective action.

• Climate change is reshaping lives and livelihoods, especially across northern Nigeria, where desertification and flooding threaten food security and displace families.
• Indigenous communities, particularly the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory, continue to face systemic exclusion, denied the full recognition and participation that justice demands.
• Maternal and child mortality remains unacceptably high, reminding us that the most vulnerable among us still struggle for survival in a nation of great potential.
• Insecurity erodes our collective peace, undermining trust in institutions and weakening the bonds of community.
• And digital technology—while full of promise—is increasingly weaponized to suppress dissent, silence voices, and distort truth.
• And electoral malpractice continues to undermine the legitimacy of our democracy, eroding public trust and weakening the very foundation of governance.

These realities demand not just reflection, but decisive action. They compel us to ask: What kind of Nigeria do we want to build? What legacy do we wish to leave for future generations? And how can we, as citizens and institutions, rise to meet these challenges with resilience and resolve?

Our Commitments

This Strategic Plan we are unveiling today, responds with clarity and courage. It commits CHRICED to six pillars of action:

1. Environmental Justice: We will work with communities to confront climate threats, advocate for transparent and inclusive climate policies, and ensure that those most affected by environmental degradation are not left behind. Environmental justice is not a luxury—it is a necessity for survival and dignity.
2. Indigenous Rights: We will continue to champion the rights of indigenous populations, ensuring their voices are heard and their dignity respected in national development. A democracy that excludes its original inhabitants cannot claim legitimacy. Their heritage, culture, and rights must be protected.
3. Maternal and Child Health: We will continue to intensify our efforts to reduce maternal and child mortality, partnering with health institutions and communities to protect the most vulnerable. Every child deserves a chance to live, and every mother deserves the right to safe, dignified care.
4. Digital Empowerment: We will harness digital technology to empower citizens, promote transparency, and resist digital repression. Technology must be a tool for liberation, not oppression. We will invest in digital literacy and create platforms that amplify citizen voices.
5. Democratic Accountability: We will deepen our commitment to accountability, because democracy without accountability is merely a façade. We will support civic actors, media institutions, and community leaders in holding power to account and demanding ethical governance. Accountability is the heartbeat of democracy.
6. Electoral Integrity: We will work tirelessly to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot, promote credible elections, and strengthen institutions that guarantee free, fair, and transparent electoral processes. Without electoral integrity, democracy cannot thrive; with it, citizens can trust that their voices truly matter.

A Rights-Based Framework

This strategy is rooted in evidence, shaped by community voices, and guided by a rights-based framework that prioritizes inclusion, equity, and justice. It is not static; it is a living document—one that will evolve as we learn, adapt, and grow. It reflects our belief that democracy must be participatory, that governance must be transparent, and that justice must be accessible to all.

Gratitude and Acknowledgements

I extend heartfelt gratitude to the MacArthur Foundation for its generous support, which has made this process possible. I thank our Board of Directors for their wisdom and leadership, and our dedicated staff for their tireless commitment to justice. A special appreciation goes to Mr. Oladayo Olaide, whose steadfastness and guidance were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. His dedication reminds us that strategic planning is not about documents, but about people—people who believe in change and work tirelessly to achieve it.

To our partners, allies, and fellow citizens: this journey is not ours alone. We invite you to walk with us, challenge us, and collaborate with us. Together, we can build a Nigeria where rights are protected, voices are heard, and governance truly serves the people.

Closing Call to Action

As we launch this Strategic Plan, let us remember that documents do not change societies—people do. Policies do not transform nations—citizens do. And institutions do not sustain democracies—collective action does. The future we seek will not be handed to us; it must be built by us, brick by brick, voice by voice, and action by action.

Let us therefore commit ourselves to this journey with courage and conviction. Let us stand together in the face of adversity, and let us believe, even in moments of doubt, that a better Nigeria is possible. A Nigeria where democracy is not a distant ideal, but a lived reality. A Nigeria where justice is not selective, but universal. A Nigeria where governance is not self-serving, but people-serving.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.