Executive Secretary of HEDA Resource Centre, Sulaimon Arigbabu, has attributed farmers’ losses to flooding to a lack of access to climate information services. He highlighted that Nigeria’s food crisis and insecurity stem from resource constraints triggered by climate change. Arigbabu made these remarks during a 1-Day high-level advocacy workshop on enhancing access to climate information services for national development and food security in Nigeria, organized by HEDA and NiMET. He emphasized the lingering impact of last year’s flooding on communities and noted the additional stress on food-producing communities this year. Arigbabu pointed out that farmers, despite suffering post-flooding, lack the necessary support to lift themselves out of poverty and address food insecurity. He identified a significant but often overlooked issue in agricultural production – the lack of access to climate information services. Arigbabu called attention to NiMet’s seasonal climate predictions and regular forecasts, stating that this information needs to reach farmers in three crucial ways. Firstly, it should be provided to agricultural policy authorities in all states before the planting season. Secondly, farmers should receive information when preparing for planting to avoid losses due to changing rainy patterns. Thirdly, information is needed about what crops to plant to maximize yield and reduce vulnerability to natural disasters. The Director-General of NiMet, Prof. Mansur Matazu, revealed at the workshop that Nigeria suffered approximately $4.6 billion in economic damage from floods in 2022. This loss had negative effects on the nation’s GDP, but Matazu expressed optimism about the ongoing recovery efforts. He mentioned a World Bank Survey commissioned by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, which assessed the cost implications of 2022 flood damages in terms of livelihoods, farmlands, and infrastructure. Matazu highlighted the country’s commitment to recovering from the devastation, emphasizing the government’s efforts, including the establishment of a presidential committee to find lasting solutions to floods. He acknowledged the need to better utilize floodwaters for agriculture, aligning with the government’s policy on achieving food security. Matazu stressed the agency’s dedication to addressing climate change challenges in Nigeria through partnerships and localized adaptation measures to enhance climate-smart agricultural advisories and services.

In a significant development, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has announced its forthcoming expert validation meeting, poised to shed light on their comprehensive research regarding the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria. The event will also present an insightful overview of the current electoral landscape in the country. Renowned and independent researchers, Professor Adele Jinadu and Dr. Hussaini Abdu, are at the helm of this ambitious research initiative. The primary objective is to meticulously examine various facets surrounding Nigerian elections, including their legitimacy, credibility, and overall conduct. Additionally, the study delves into crucial aspects such as associated costs, the integration of technology to ensure transparent elections, political party dynamics, and the aftermath of the 2023 election. This in-depth research is meticulously organized into nine distinct components, which include, the historical overview of competitive party and electoral politics in Nigeria since 1919, Comparison of the 2023 election with previous elections, Electoral commissions and election management, Electoral technology and cost of elections. It also includes, Party system, parties and landscape of electoral politics; security, politics, electoral corruption and violence; Electoral reforms and legal frameworks for conduct of elections; Voters’ registration and education and Election campaigns, election observation and conduct of elections. Comments and observation to the findings with a view to validating the outcome of the findings before it is presented to the larger stakeholders and public is of extreme importance to the findings.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Hon. Justice Z.B. Abubakar, has mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to furnish the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) with pertinent information concerning the selection process of Bitt Inc. as the technical partner for the CBN’s E-Naira digital currency project. The judgment, delivered in the case FHC/ABJ/CS/1542/2021 between the Incorporated Trustees of HEDA Resource Centre and the Central Bank of Nigeria, addressed a Motion on Notice dated 22nd February 2022. The motion sought a Mandamus order compelling the CBN to provide information outlined in the Applicant’s request dated 1st September 2021. The information sought by the leading civil society organisation in the country,  HEDA Resource Centre, included evidence of the newspaper advertisement calling for bidders, the list of bidders, and evidence of the public opening of bids. In response, the CBN argued, citing Section 15(2) of the Public Procurement Act, that the bidding process for the E-Naira, involving special goods, works, and services related to national defense and security, did not require a newspaper advertisement for bidders and public opening of bids. The Respondent further contended that divulging the requested information would be detrimental to Nigeria’s international affairs, economic interests, and national security, particularly regarding countries seeking consultation with the CBN on the implementation of the e-currency in their respective nations. In its ruling, the Court emphasized that the CBN is a public institution or agency, as defined in Section 31 of the FoI Act, 2011. Pursuant to Section 4(a) and (b) of the FoI Act, 2011, the CBN is obligated to provide the requested information within seven days. The Court stressed the mandatory nature of the provisions, employing the term “shall,” leaving the Respondent with no discretion but to comply. Consequently, the Court deemed the Applicant’s application meritorious and granted the sole relief sought.

Civil Society Organizations have strongly criticized the Federal Government for initiating legal proceedings against Muhuyi Magaji, the Executive Chairman of Kano State’s Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, under the influence of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) party Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, through the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). In a statement issued by representatives of the groups, it asserted that the charges brought against the Kano State PCAC boss by the Code of Conduct Bureau were orchestrated by certain politicians with the intent to undermine the anti-corruption efforts in Kano State. The statement highlighted the irony of the Code of Conduct Bureau’s failure to take action against several politicians, despite overwhelming evidence, including the former governor of Kano State, who is now the current All-Progressive Congress (APC) National Chairman. It also questioned the unprecedented speed of investigations and charges against the Kano anti-corruption chairman, attributing it to a desire to shield corrupt practices by the immediate past government of Kano State and divert attention from the anti-corruption drive in Kano. The groups further called for a change in the leadership of the Code of Conduct Bureau as part of the broader reshuffling of leaderships of the anti-graft agencies by the Tinubu-led administration. “The allegations against Muhuyi Magaji were dissected, with emphasis on the questionable nature of the bribery accusation involving the former Secretary to the State Government in Kano. This also raised doubts about the validity of the charges, questioning whether the Code of Conduct Bureau was the appropriate entity to address bribery allegations”. Furthermore, the anti-corruption group challenged the inconsistency in the application of legal action, pointing out that many governors accused of corruption and facing charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have not been similarly pursued by the Code of Conduct Bureau. The groups, however, maintained that the focus on Muhuyi Magaji was not just about Ganduje, but was deliberate, implying that the Code of Conduct Bureau had become a tool in the hands of politicians for persecution due to the scrutiny faced by Ganduje and his associates under the Kano government. The CCB’s selective investigation and prosecution has made a mockery of the Bureau’s intention and commitment to the anti-corruption drive. The statement was signed by Dr. Zikrillahi Ibrahim of CHRICED, Rafsanjani Auwal Musa of CISLAC, Mohammed Bougei Attah of Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative, and Olanrewaju Suraju of HEDA Resource Centre.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) is set to welcome Dr. Jonathan Fanton, the former President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, for an official visit in Lagos. Scheduled for Thursday, 23rd November 2023, the visit will feature an interactive session, leveraging Dr. Fanton’s extensive experience in philanthropy and academia to delve into the strategic fight against corruption through international mechanisms. Dr. Fanton, with his distinguished background, including a recent role as the president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and leadership positions in organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the Security Council Report, brings a wealth of knowledge and a global perspective. His commitment to addressing global issues is evident, making his insights invaluable. The interactive session, tailored for media, civil society, and key state actors, will concentrate on corruption issues among both state and non-state actors. Additionally, it will explore the media’s role, civic space, and related matters. The overarching goal is to assess the current situation and pinpoint opportunities for stakeholder engagement in the fight against corruption.”

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), the Journalist for Democratic Rights (JODER), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), have raised alarms regarding the pervasive corruption in various sectors of Nigeria, urged journalists to up the pivotal role they play in exposing corrupt individuals fearlessly and without bias. During a media training session organized by HEDA in partnership with JODER and supported by the MacArthur Foundation, stakeholders convened under the theme “Building Public Ownership for Transparency and Accountability in Governance and Service Delivery.” focusing on their pivotal role in exposing corrupt individuals fearlessly and without bias. Sulaimon Arigbabu, Executive Secretary of HEDA, emphasized the worsening state of corruption in the country and stressed the necessity of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to rectify the situation. Highlighting the global socioeconomic challenges, Arigbabu underscored the unique severity of Nigeria’s predicament due to the hindrance caused by corruption, hindering progress despite global efforts to ease challenges. Adewale Adeoye, Executive Director of JODER, called for a change in the narrative, urging media practitioners to conduct thorough, fact-based investigations and expose corruption. He argued that a corrupt-free society is achievable if the media remains vigilant, putting political leaders under scrutiny and demanding transparency. Hadiza Rimi, representing the ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, emphasized the vital role of the media in the fight against corruption. Aliyu stressed the importance of ethical reporting and the need for journalists, online media, and bloggers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in covering corruption stories. The ICPC chairman urged the media to be committed to truth, accuracy, and fairness, emphasizing that responsible journalism contributes to fostering accountability and change. The training also addressed the need for the Nigerian government to identify collaborators in the $11 billion arbitration award sought by P&ID, emphasizing that the court ruling in Nigeria’s favor should not conclude the case. Facilitators at the training, including Sam Olukoya of the BBC, expressed concerns about unresolved corruption cases involving multinational companies operating in Nigeria and urged accountability for those involved. Kabir Alabi Garba, the Weekend Editor of Guardian Newspaper, highlighted the lack of follow-up by the media on published corruption cases, attributing it to the impunity enjoyed by the guilty parties. He pointed to the Halliburton scandal as an example, lamenting the lack of punitive measures against culprits in Nigeria compared to their counterparts abroad. According to him, this contributes to the growing corruption in the country, as justice is not consistently served to those found guilty.

In a proactive move against corruption in Nigeria, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) is organizing an interactive session with influential stakeholders. This session will explore strategic approaches to combating corruption on an international scale, featuring insights from Mr. Jonathan Fanton, the former president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, renowned for his extensive expertise in philanthropy and academia. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman of HEDA, emphasized the critical need for stakeholders’ engagement in the interactive session. He underscored the importance of assessing the current situation and proposing effective measures to mitigate the impact of corruption in Nigeria. The session aims to pave the way forward for Nigeria to become a corrupt-free nation. The interactive dialogue, involving Mr. Jonathan Fanton, civil society organizations, and the media, will specifically focus on the strategic fight against corruption through international mechanisms. The round-table will provide a platform for participants to share impactful stories and experiences in combating corruption. The overarching goal is to assess the present situation and pinpoint opportunities for meaningful stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, HEDA  recognizes the multifaceted nature of corruption and its far-reaching consequences. In addition to the strategic focus on international mechanisms, the organization is keen on fostering collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen domestic anti-corruption efforts. This holistic approach involves not only identifying external influences but also addressing internal challenges that contribute to corruption. By bringing together diverse perspectives, including those from civil society, the media, and Mr. Jonathan Fanton’s wealth of experience, the interactive session aims to cultivate a comprehensive strategy for combating corruption at both national and international levels. Through collective insights and shared experiences, participants will not only assess the current landscape but also collaboratively identify actionable steps to fortify the fight against corruption, creating a roadmap for sustainable change in Nigeria.

In response to the escalating challenges posed by climate change, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) collaborating with the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Oxfam, and the Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance to host a one-day high-level workshop. The event, themed “Ramping Up Access to Climate Information Services for National Development and Food Security in Nigeria,” aims to address the critical role of climate information in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on the nation’s development and food security. Climate change remains a formidable threat to Nigeria and the global community, with severe impacts on lives and livelihoods. The workshop recognizes the potential reversal of gains made towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and revitalizing Nigeria’s economy. Climate change exacerbates insecurity and poses a significant risk to food and nutritional security, particularly affecting the agriculture sector and farming communities. The rising frequency of extreme weather events, including flooding, heatwaves, windstorms, sandstorms, and land and coastal erosion, underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges. The workshop aims to assemble high-level stakeholders to explore innovative strategies for improving access to climate information services. Recognizing the indispensable role of these services in national development planning, as well as ensuring food and nutritional security, the event seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among experts. As the workshop unfolds, participants anticipate meaningful discussions and the development of actionable plans to address the challenges posed by climate change. The collaboration between HEDA Resource Centre, NiMET, Oxfam, and the Pan Africa Climate Justice Alliance reflects a commitment to building resilience and fostering sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s future.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has taken a significant step in addressing concerns over the alleged mismanagement of N183.9 billion in COVID-19 Intervention funds between 2020 and 2022 by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC). In an effort to ensure accountability and transparency, HEDA has formally petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, conveyed the organization’s request in a letter addressed to the Executive Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede. The impetus for this action stemmed from a report by Leadership newspaper online, which highlighted Hon. Nyampa Dauda Zakari’s call for an investigation during a plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the 17th day of October 2023. The petition underscores the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the mismanagement allegations, if proven true and not investigated, would not only constitute a financial breach but also tarnish the country’s reputation on the international stage. Particularly concerning is the involvement of funds from international donors, impacting both victims of COVID-19 and vulnerable populations. HEDA expressed its deep concern over the potential damage to the country’s integrity and reputation. The organization believes that swift and thorough investigation by the EFCC is crucial not only for rectifying any wrongdoing but also for safeguarding the nation’s standing in the global community. “This is capable of making the country lose its integrity and reputation in the international space. Hence, the timely submission of this petition to enable the Commission to diligently investigate, prosecute, and remedy the country’s reputation before the international community,” stated HEDA. In presenting this petition, HEDA seeks not only accountability for the alleged financial mismanagement but also aims to uphold the integrity of Nigeria on the international stage. The organization trusts that the anti-graft agency’s intervention will serve to investigate, prosecute, and rectify any discrepancies, thereby restoring the country’s reputation and standing.

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has charged the Federal Government on the immediate enforcement of the Bank Employees on the Declaration of Assets Act. This move is part of a concerted effort to combat corruption and promote transparency within Nigeria’s banking sector. In a letter signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, The anti-corruption group emphasized the significance of the Bank Employees on the Declaration of Assets Act, currently in effect. The Act was instituted during a period marked by rampant corruption within the banking industry, with corrupt public officials frequently exploiting bank employees and financial institutions to launder ill-gotten gains. Section 1 of the Act mandates that all bank employees in Nigeria disclose their assets within 14 days of the Act’s commencement or upon their employment as new staff. Furthermore, Section 2 confers authority upon the President or an appointed figure, such as the Secretary to the Federal Government or an individual designated in the Federal Gazette, to oversee the Act’s implementation. HEDA expressed deep concern over the Act’s apparent neglect since the inception of the 4th Republic in 1999. The organization has brought the Act’s provisions to the forefront, underscoring its pivotal role in combatting corruption and fostering public trust in the banking sector. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which commenced with a promise of economic prosperity for all Nigerians, is inherently tied to the elimination of avenues for misappropriating public funds. Consequently, HEDA firmly underscores the immediate and comprehensive implementation of the Bank Employees on the Declaration of Assets Act as an essential component of fulfilling this commitment. The letter reads in part, “We therefore bring the provisions of the Bank Employees, etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act to your attention and demand that you take urgent action either through your office or appointment of any institution by an instrument published in the Federal Gazette to fully implement the Act and mandate all Banks employees to declare their assets in compliance with the Act.” “We trust that you will treat this letter with utmost urgency and take decisive actions in fulfillment of this mandate as provided in the Bank Employees, etc. (Declaration of Assets) Act. We assure you that we will closely monitor this development.” This call to action by HEDA highlights the pressing need to address corruption within Nigeria’s banking sector and uphold principles of transparency and accountability, in alignment with international best practices and standards.