Civil Society Dialogue Urges Strategic Response to Global Changes
By Salami Abdulrahaman
Stakeholders at the Nigerian Civil Society Dialogue have called for stronger strategic thinking, democratic consolidation, and inclusive economic development as Nigeria responds to changes in the global political and economic order.
The call was made at the Nigerian Civil Society Dialogue, titled “A 360-Degree Conversation on 2027,” with the theme, “Consolidating Democracy & Economic Growth in Nigeria in the Face of the Emerging New World Order and Political Economy.” The dialogue was organised in Abuja by the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought with support from the European Union.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi said Nigerian leaders must adapt to emerging global realities and identify opportunities for economic development.
He said global politics and economic relations were increasingly shifting towards bilateral engagements and strategic alliances, urging Nigeria to develop a clear strategy for responding to the changes.
“Think about climate change. Think about green growth. The focus is shifting,” Amadi said, stressing the need for Nigeria to leverage emerging global trends to promote economic development.
He also called for peaceful, free and fair elections, saying elections should be viewed as a process that promotes peace, conflict avoidance and national consensus for development, rather than being focused solely on who emerges as the winner.
Also speaking, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, said global economic and governance challenges, including geo-economic fragmentation, public debt, technological changes and climate change, required collective action.
Mignot said the dialogue provided an important platform for think tanks, civil society leaders, and policy professionals to develop evidence-based ideas for democratic consolidation and economic growth.
He identified key areas of discussion as inclusive economic growth, elections and democratisation, youth and climate sustainability, equity and justice, and Nigeria’s role in the world.
The ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting civil society and policy dialogue in Nigeria, announcing planned partnerships on human rights, girls’ rights, newsroom fact-checking, the Abuja Book Fair, elections and film festivals.
The dialogue brought together civil society actors, researchers, and policy professionals to discuss Nigeria’s democratic and economic future amid changing global realities.
