The Nigeria Local Coalition Accelerator (NLCA) has announced plans to host two major national donor roundtables aimed at promoting locally led development and bridging the funding gap for Nigerian community-based organizations. The events, themed “Local Power, Global Impact,” will take place in Lagos on November 11 and Abuja on November 13, 2025.
Speaking during a press conference at the NLCA Secretariat in Jimeta, Adamawa State, the Coordinator of the coalition, Sir Amb. Richard Akase Inyamkume, said the initiative represented a milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to building an equitable and inclusive development system. He explained that the donor roundtables, organised with technical support from the Warande Advisory Foundation of Kenya and The Share Trust Inc. (USA), are designed to connect local innovators and community organizations with key funding partners drawn from the Federal Government, United Nations agencies, corporate leaders, and philanthropic foundations.
Sir Inyamkume said the NLCA brings together nine Nigerian civil society organisations that share a common vision — to make development locally driven and community-owned. He expressed concern that Nigerian community-based organisations, despite being “the first responders and last-mile implementers,” still receive less than 20 per cent of total humanitarian and development funding. According to him, this imbalance in funding and policy influence between international and local actors has slowed progress, reduced efficiency, and limited sustainability in many communities.
He said that through the NLCA’s pilot projects in Adamawa State, known as Joint Action Plans (JAPs), communities had witnessed better service delivery, deeper participation, and stronger accountability mechanisms. “These experiences reaffirm one truth: when local actors lead, communities thrive,” he said.
The NLCA Coordinator revealed that the Lagos Roundtable, which would hold at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, would focus on how corporate social responsibility, philanthropy, and impact investing can strengthen community systems and boost local development. The Abuja Roundtable, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, will gather top government officials, bilateral donors, and development partners to align national policies and funding frameworks with localisation principles.
According to him, the events are designed to ensure that resources, trust, and leadership flow directly to the local level where they are most needed. “We want to make sure development begins and thrives from the grassroots,” he noted.
The roundtables, he said, were aimed at raising awareness about the NLCA model, mobilising funding commitments, and building stronger partnerships between government, private sector actors, and civil society groups. Other objectives include positioning NLCA as a credible platform for transparent investment management and ensuring that donor interventions align with Nigeria’s national priorities.
Sir Inyamkume disclosed that the coalition expected to mobilise ₦5.5 billion (about USD 5 million) in seed funding over the next three to five years to expand local action projects across the country. The plan will benefit more than 60 community organisations and establish at least five new long-term partnerships between the NLCA, government agencies, and private sector leaders. He also announced the formation of a Donor–NLCA Working Group that will oversee coordination and continuous learning after the roundtables.
He stressed that the event was coming at a critical time when Nigeria needs stronger local involvement to address issues of poverty, inequality, and humanitarian crises. According to him, the Federal Government has already made strides in supporting localisation through policy frameworks, and the NLCA intends to complement those efforts by linking national priorities with community-led action. “We cannot build sustainable solutions by overlooking those who live and work closest to the challenges,” he stated. “In partnership with UN agencies, development partners, corporate CSR units, and philanthropic institutions, we can demonstrate that localisation is not merely a theory—it is the pathway to sustainable, homegrown development.”
He appealed to the Federal Government to deepen collaboration with the NLCA and institutionalise localisation in national policies. He also urged UN agencies and donor organisations to continue building trust and engaging directly with credible Nigerian community groups that have shown capacity for transparency and impact. “To the business community and corporate CSR leaders, we encourage you to view localisation not just as philanthropy but as a strategic investment — one that builds resilient communities, strengthens your brand, and contributes to Nigeria’s long-term growth,” he said.
The NLCA Coordinator also extended his call to faith-based groups, philanthropic foundations, and private donors to partner with the coalition in creating “a shared legacy of empowerment, accountability, and transformation.” He commended the role of the media in amplifying local voices and challenging stereotypes about development in Nigeria. “You remain vital allies,” he said. “We rely on your platforms to showcase the power of Nigerian-led development.”
As preparations continue for the Lagos and Abuja roundtables, Sir Inyamkume emphasised that localisation is more than a development slogan — it is a movement rooted in dignity, ownership, and lasting impact. “When Nigerian organisations lead, communities rise. When communities rise, nations prosper,” he declared.
He expressed appreciation to all development partners and supporters of the NLCA’s mission, particularly the Warande Advisory Foundation and The Share Trust Inc., for their commitment to strengthening local leadership and advancing sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Localisation Donor Roundtables 2025 will hold in Lagos on November 11 and Abuja on November 13, bringing together over 20 donor organisations, including ministries, embassies, and philanthropic foundations. The outcomes of the meetings will be consolidated into a Donor Communiqué and Commitment Framework, which will establish measurable goals and partnership pathways for 2026 and beyond.
