By Vangawa Bolgent
The Nigeria Local Coalition Accelerator (NLCA) has announced two landmark donor roundtables aimed at promoting locally led development and closing Nigeria’s grassroots funding gap. Themed “Local Power, Global Impact,” the events will take place in Lagos on November 11 and in Abuja on November 13, 2025.
Speaking at a press briefing at the NLCA Secretariat in Jimeta, Adamawa State, the Coalition’s Coordinator, Sir Amb. Richard Akase Inyamkume, described the initiative as a “defining step” toward building an equitable and inclusive national development system. He explained that the roundtables—organized with technical support from Kenya’s Warande Advisory Foundation and the U.S.-based Share Trust Inc.—will link Nigerian community-based organizations (CBOs) and innovators with key funding partners from government, the United Nations, corporate entities, and philanthropic institutions.
Sir Inyamkume noted that NLCA, which unites nine Nigerian civil society organizations, was founded on the vision of ensuring that development is locally driven and community-owned. He expressed concern that community-based organizations, despite being “the first responders and last-mile implementers,” receive less than 20 percent of total humanitarian and development funding. This imbalance, he said, undermines efficiency, sustainability, and true local ownership.
Highlighting the coalition’s pilot “Joint Action Plans” in Adamawa State, he said communities have already recorded improved service delivery, increased citizen participation, and stronger accountability. “These experiences reaffirm one truth: when local actors lead, communities thrive,” he stated.
The Lagos Roundtable at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, will focus on harnessing corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and impact investment to strengthen community systems, while the Abuja Roundtable, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, will bring together senior government officials, bilateral donors, and development partners to align national policies and funding frameworks with localisation principles.
According to the Coordinator, the events are designed to channel resources, trust, and leadership directly to the grassroots, ensuring that communities take the lead in solving their own challenges. The roundtables will also serve to promote the NLCA model, mobilize funding commitments, and foster collaboration between government, the private sector, and civil society.
Sir Inyamkume disclosed that the coalition targets ₦5.5 billion (about USD 5 million) in seed funding over the next three to five years to expand community projects nationwide. The initiative will support over 60 local organizations and create at least five long-term partnerships between NLCA, government agencies, and private sector leaders. A Donor–NLCA Working Group will be established to coordinate follow-up actions and learning outcomes from the roundtables.
He emphasized that the push for localisation is timely, as Nigeria faces deepening poverty, inequality, and humanitarian needs. While commending federal policy steps that support locally led development, he urged the government to institutionalize localisation across national frameworks. “We cannot build sustainable solutions by overlooking those who live and work closest to the challenges,” he said.
Sir Inyamkume also called on UN agencies, donor organizations, and corporate CSR leaders to partner with credible Nigerian community groups. “Localisation is not just philanthropy—it is strategic investment. It builds resilience, strengthens brands, and fuels Nigeria’s long-term growth,” he added.
The NLCA Coordinator further appealed to faith-based groups, philanthropists, and private donors to join in “creating a shared legacy of empowerment, accountability, and transformation.” He applauded the media for amplifying local voices and reshaping the narrative on development in Nigeria.
“As we prepare for the Lagos and Abuja roundtables,” he said, “we must remember that localisation is more than a slogan—it is a movement rooted in dignity, ownership, and lasting impact. When Nigerian organizations lead, communities rise. When communities rise, nations prosper.”
He expressed gratitude to the coalition’s partners, particularly the Warande Advisory Foundation and The Share Trust Inc., for their unwavering support in advancing local leadership and sustainable development.
The Nigeria Localisation Donor Roundtables 2025 are expected to host more than 20 donor organizations, including ministries, embassies, and philanthropic foundations. Outcomes from both events will be consolidated into a Donor Communiqué and Commitment Framework outlining measurable goals and partnership pathways for 2026 and beyond.
