CFCOD Participates in Zonal Conversation on Nigeria’s Humanitarian Reset
On September 8, 2026, the Center for Faith and Community Development (CFCOD) participated in the Zonal Conversation for North Central and North West Nigeria, held at Crispan Hotel in Jos, Plateau State. This event was organized under the auspices of the Local SPACE initiative, which aims to enhance the space, participation, accountability, capacity, and engagement of local and national actors in humanitarian aid delivery. The forum brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including local and national organizations, international NGOs, donors, and humanitarian partners, to deliberate on fostering a more nationally owned, locally driven, and accountable humanitarian system in Nigeria.
The discussion focused on critical issues such as power dynamics, voice, equitable partnerships, and accountability. Participants emphasized the importance of nationally led coordination, direct and quality financing, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring fair representation in decision-making and resource distribution. A key theme was the phased, responsible transfer of humanitarian leadership from international to local actors, reinforcing the principle that localization should not merely involve shifting risks and responsibilities to local entities while authority, funding, and decision-making remain centralized elsewhere.
The forum underscored that genuine localization requires the active inclusion of local actors in setting agendas, shaping responses, and maintaining accountability to affected communities. It was highlighted that those closest to the impacted populations must be involved from the outset, rather than being brought in after decisions are made. Only through such inclusive participation can a truly accountable and effective humanitarian system be achieved. For CFCOD, sustainable humanitarian reform hinges on integrating local leadership with shared responsibility, ensuring adequate resources, building institutional capacity, and safeguarding humanitarian principles. Communities should be recognized not just as aid recipients but as informed partners and decision-makers capable of influencing their own development.
The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Christian Aid Nigeria and the Local SPACE partners—Trocaire, Save the Children Nigeria, the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, CAFOD, and DCA—underpinned by co-funding from the European Union Humanitarian Aid. Their collective efforts have created a vital platform for advancing local ownership and accountability in Nigeria’s humanitarian landscape.
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