The Private Sector Development for Democracy Forum (PSDdF), plans to launch a National Agenda for Democratic Strengthening (NADS) for Nigeria in September 2024.
According to a statement, NADS will present recommendations for enhancing Nigeria’s democratic landscape to foster innovation, fair competition, economic stability, and growth.
“PSDdF will launch the Agenda in September to commemorate the International Day of Democracy, marking a significant step towards strengthening Nigerian democracy,” the statement said.
Read also: Transforming Nigeria: The Platform Returns with a Special Edition This Democracy Day
It added that the launch will serve as a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to implement the agenda’s recommendations in addition to demonstrating the Forum’s commitment to advancing a more inclusive democracy with private sector participation.
“The NADS, currently in its drafting stage, is focused on four priority areas – strengthening democratic institutions like the judiciary, media, and electoral bodies; empowering government officials and citizens through capacity building and civic education; promoting private sector integrity, accountability, and resilience against corruption; and minimizing inequality and promoting equitable wealth distribution through land tenure reforms,” the statement added.
It noted that the choice of the priority areas hinged on the potential catalytic effect to positively impact other democratic concerns and the subsequent effect on Nigeria’s economy.
“The PSDdF is developing the NADS through a comprehensive methodology that includes a rigorous process of contributions and validations from members and the steering committee,” it said.
It said members of the PSDdF span across private sector organisations, civil society organizations, think tanks, media, and academia.
Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA); Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA); Association of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWBN); Fintech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR); Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ); Accountability Lab; BudgIT; Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch (CEFTIW), are part of PSDdF.
Read also: Democracy isn’t real, its future in peril – Moghalu
Other members are the School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University -Coalition of Journalists for Social Change (SMC-CNJ); BusinessDay Media Foundation; Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities; Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
