Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Nigerian government has been advised to allow an environment where civil society organisations (CSOs) thrive in order to aid seamless development of the country.

The advice was given at the weekend by the visiting Secretary-General of ActionAid International, Arthur Larok, during a visit to Nigeria to mark the 25th anniversary of ActionAid Nigeria.

Larok, who paid a visit to Pasepa community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to assess the contributions of ActionAid in the country, urged the Nigerian government to recognize the vital role civil society organisations play in development and to ensure a supportive environment for their operations.

He said: “When organisations like ActionAid thrive, entire communities thrive with them. The government must acknowledge this and create conditions that allow civil society to operate effectively.”

However, he stressed that NGOs alone cannot achieve nationwide transformation.

He said: “Non-governmental organisations can only reach a limited number of communities. Government has the mandate, the resources, and the long-term responsibility to deliver services at scale. Our job is to demonstrate what works. Government’s job is to expand it.”

He also highlighted education as a non-negotiable priority for Nigeria’s development.

Larok said: “No country can achieve meaningful transformation without investing in education. Budget decisions must reflect this reality, and every expenditure should have a direct impact on communities.”

He applauded Nigerians for their hospitality and resilience, describing Nigeria as “an impressive nation whose people embody warmth, courage, and a strong sense of community.”

He revealed that he arrived the country with mixed expectations but was quickly won over by the sincerity and openness of ordinary Nigerians.

Larok said: “I had heard many things about Nigeria before coming, some of them told in jest, like the idea that you haven’t truly visited Africa until you’ve visited Nigeria.”

“But over the past three days, I’ve been moved by the kindness of the people and the genuine willingness to help. It has left me with a very strong, positive impression.”

Reflecting on the organisation’s two-and-a-half decades in the country, the Secretary-General said the true measure of impact lies not in written reports but in the lived experiences of people who have benefited from the programmes.

“Listening to women and young people speak confidently about how trainings and community support have transformed their lives is the clearest sign of impact,” he noted. “When people speak from a position of power and agency, you know development work is reaching the right places.”

He added that ActionAid will deepen its investments over the coming years – especially in women and young people – because these groups play a pivotal role in driving sustainable change at both community and national levels.

His visit concluded with renewed commitments from ActionAid International to strengthen partnerships, expand grassroots initiatives, and support Nigerian communities in achieving long-term, people-driven development.

Meanwhile, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Ahmed Mamedu, reiterated the need for urgent government investment in underserved communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as well as other parts of the country, particularly those facing severe infrastructural and social service gaps.

He made the appeal during a field visit to Pasepa community, one of several hard-to-reach areas where ActionAid has worked for more than a decade.

Mamedu explained that the visit formed part of the anniversary celebrations, which include showcasing communities where ActionAid has driven long-term development initiatives.

He noted that Pasepa, like many others in the FCT, reflects the reality of deep rural poverty often overlooked in discussions about Abuja.

He noted that: “Many people assume Abuja is all about the city’s glamour, but Pasepa is also part of the FCT,” adding that: “Coming here reveals what daily life looks like for people living in real poverty – difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and minimal access to essential services.”

He said ActionAid has worked in Pasepa for over 12 years, partnering local stakeholders to build community structures, strengthen accountability, and push for government responsiveness. Despite notable progress, but lamented that the reality on ground remains far from satisfactory.

“Are we impressed with what we are seeing here? The answer is no,” he stated. “We can definitely do better. We want to see more impact, more livelihood opportunities, and improved access to social services.”

He said one of the most striking observations during the visit was the steady stream of political actors entering the community, insisting that this is evidence that leaders are aware of the community’s challenges – and capable of reaching it when seeking support.

“If politicians can find their way here during the political season, then they can also bring infrastructure and amenities,” he said. “We expect that in the next few months and years, returning to this community will reveal concrete improvements.”

He stressed that such development is not only overdue but essential for improving the lives of thousands of residents.

He said the visit was also an opportunity for the Secretary-General of ActionAid International to directly experience the conditions in Nigeria’s marginalized communities.

“This visit allows him to hear the voices of the people firsthand and understand the depth of the work we do,” he added.

ActionAid Nigeria says it will continue supporting rural communities while advocating stronger government accountability and sustained investment in critical social infrastructure.

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