Promoting national unity, good governance, and social justice.

Three interconnected programmes — the platforms through which the Foundation's mission becomes action across Nigeria and Africa.

The Initiative

The Foundation's programmatic work is organised under the Public Policy Initiative: a platform for turning Nigeria's hardest governance challenges from research into advocacy and policy change that holds.

How we work

Each programme convenes around a thematic challenge, producing research and advocacy designed not just to inform national conversation, but to shape it.

The scope

Based in Abuja, with a growing West Africa lens: working across Nigeria and the subregion through a network of partners, frontline organisations, community groups, and activists.

Social Justice and Equity

Social Justice & Equity

Nigeria's constitution is a promise made to all its citizens. For women and for persons with disabilities, that promise is too often deferred by violence that goes unpunished, by institutions not built with them in mind, and by the social norms that keep them from their full place in public life. This programme exists to make that promise real.

Sub-programmes

Safe Spaces Leadership Programme

Developing young women leaders to create and advocate for safe spaces in educational and workplace environments, focusing on leadership, advocacy, and legal rights.

Gender Justice Research and Policy Hub

Research and policy advocacy addressing legal, structural, and cultural barriers to gender equity in Nigeria.

National Campaign Against Sexual Violence

Raising awareness about sexual violence in workplaces and universities, collaborating with media, social influencers, and educational institutions.

Disability Rights and Social Inclusion

Promoting the rights, welfare, and integration of people with disabilities into all aspects of Nigerian society through advocacy, empowerment, and policy engagement.

Explore this programme →

Governance and Civic Engagement

Governance & Civic Engagement

A democracy is only as strong as the citizens who demand it and the institutions that serve them. The Foundation's Governance and Civic Engagement programme works on both sides of that equation: equipping citizens to hold power accountable, and reimagining the institutions, spaces, and protections that make collective participation possible in the first place.

Sub-programmes

Reimagining Democratic Governance in Nigeria and Africa

Convening government, private sector, and civil society around what democratic governance in Nigeria and across the continent must look like to meet the challenges of this century.

Civic Engagement and Rights Protection Initiative

Supporting journalists and activists and fostering public dialogue on civic rights and responsibilities.

Citizen-Led Accountability Initiative

Physical and virtual platforms and campaigns for citizen-led action to promote accountability at all levels of government.

Explore this programme →

Environmental Sustainability and Resilience

Environmental Sustainability & Resilience

From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the shrinking waters of Lake Chad, Nigerian communities are living with a climate crisis they did not cause. The Foundation's Environmental Sustainability and Resilience programme works to ensure that Nigeria's response to this crisis is built from the ground up: centring the communities most affected in the policy decisions that will determine their future.

Sub-programmes

Climate Resilience Action Groups

Community action groups developing and implementing climate resilience strategies, engaging various stakeholders to address specific climate vulnerabilities.

National Climate Advocacy Campaign

Galvanising collective action to address climate change impacts, with a particular focus on food security and economic stability.

Climate Policy Advocacy Network

A network dedicated to influencing climate-related policies, bridging the gap between stakeholders, government, and the public.

Explore this programme →

"A Nigeria united across ethnic and religious divides; committed to justice and democracy."

Our Vision · Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Foundation

Recent Programme Outputs

Social Justice and Equity

Promoting national unity, good governance, and social justice.

Social Justice & Equity

Governance & Civic Engagement

Environmental Sustainability & Resilience

Recent Programme Outputs

An Evaluation of the Gender Justice Project in Safeguarding Students and Young Adults in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

Policy Paper: Towards an Inclusive and Just Energy Transition for Niger Delta Extractive Communities

Annual Report 2023-2024