U.S. gives $9.2m to CSOs to promote democracy in Nigeria

 

Ahead of 2015 general elections, the United State has given  grants worth $9.2 million to  civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria in  its efforts to promote democratic reforms through greater transparency in education, public finance management, conflict prevention, youth empowerment and advocacy, local government reform and child health.


United State Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, stated this on Monday at the award signing ceremony  of USAID/Nigeria’s Strengthening Advocacy and Civic Engagement Project in Abuja.

He explained that the grant represented the U.S. government’s long-term commitment to strengthening civil society’s ability to influence key democratic reforms at the national, state and local levels.

“Civil society is uniquely positioned to promote good governance, to call on governments to be more effective, and hold leaders to account,” he said.