LAPO Forum Urges Stronger Citizen Engagement, Ethical Leadership for National Development
Governments at all levels in Nigeria have been urged to implement urgent reforms that deepen citizen engagement, strengthen ethical governance, and promote responsive leadership as the basis for Nigeria’s sustainable development.
This call was made at the 32nd Annual Development Forum of the Lift Above Poverty Organization (LAPO) held in Abuja.
Participants stressed that citizen engagement must evolve from mere consultation to active collaboration, co-creation of solutions, and sustained accountability.
Chaired by Senator Ita Solomon Enang, the forum drew lawmakers, finance experts, and development stakeholders who emphasized that governance should be people-centred, transparent, and inclusive.
They called for stronger legal frameworks to institutionalize participatory budgeting, open contracting, and town hall meetings, as well as civic education to empower citizens to engage constructively and responsibly.
The communiqué identified corruption, weak institutions, and poor accountability as key threats to development, urging the implementation of anti-corruption reforms, technological transparency, and effective legislative oversight.
Governments were encouraged to deploy open data systems and digital feedback platforms to foster public trust and confidence.
Participants expressed concern over elite apathy in politics, warning that when educated citizens withdraw, mediocrity thrives.
They urged professionals and civil society actors to engage actively in governance and leadership.
The forum also called for stronger partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector to promote inclusive growth, commending LAPO’s people-centred development model integrating financial inclusion, health, and gender equity.
LAPO President, Faith Osazuwa-Ojo, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to tackling poverty through access to finance, healthcare, and social empowerment.
Between January 2024 and September 2025, according to her, LAPO Microfinance Bank disbursed over ₦420 billion in loans to 718,363 clients, ₦61 billion to 301,944 beneficiaries in agriculture, and provided free health services to 320,560 individuals across Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
