Mr. Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, says the organizations 25-year journey has been driven by a commitment to challenge injustice, empower marginalized groups, and promote inclusive, community-led development across the country.
Mamedu made the remarks on Thursday during ActionAid’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja, which brought together partners, board members, and community representatives to reflect on the organizations national impact, achievements, and growth since its establishment.
“We began with a clear conviction that poverty is not natural and that exclusion must be dismantled,” he said, emphasizing that the organization remains firmly focused on addressing systemic barriers affecting vulnerable people nationwide.
According to Mamedu, true development goes beyond charity; it occurs when power shifts from the privileged to the marginalized.
Reaffirming ActionAid’s commitment to transformative, rights-based development grounded in fairness, dignity, justice, and community participation, he said:
“We have chosen to stand with women denied their rights, youth denied their voices, and communities denied opportunities.”
Mamedu highlighted ActionAid’s consistent advocacy aimed at expanding inclusion, representation, and social protection for disadvantaged groups.
“Our work spans all 36 states, from supporting more than two million smallholder women farmers to networks like the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, which now has over a thousand members nationwide.
“We have also championed women’s land rights, promoted sustainable agriculture, strengthened governance accountability, and empowered young people to engage meaningfully in democracy,” he said.
Also speaking, Rabi Isma, Chair of the ActionAid Nigeria Board, said the 25-year milestone was both a celebration and a moment of reflection for an organization committed to justice, community empowerment, and sustainable national progress.
“Five years is a remarkable milestone in the lifetime of any organization, and for ActionAid Nigeria, 25 years is a moment to celebrate and reflect on our growth from a modest country programme to a full-fledged affiliate.
“At every stage, we have remained steadfast in our mission, working with people living in poverty and exclusion so they can claim their rights and live in dignity,” Isma said.
She added, “Through partnerships, accountability, and solidarity, ActionAid Nigeria has built a reputation for principled advocacy, people-centred development, and feminist leadership.”
Isma emphasized the organizations consistent approach to promoting equity and addressing structural inequalities.
“These are real stories of transformation that give meaning to our work and inspire us to continue,” she said, highlighting the importance of sustained collaboration, community resilience, and strategic interventions supporting long-term social impact.
In his remarks, former presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi congratulated ActionAid Nigeria on its 25th anniversary, saying he was delighted to celebrate the organizations decades of action, impact, service, and national advocacy.
“Mine is a very simple message: big congratulations to this family, ActionAid, which is celebrating 25 years of action, impact, service, and advocacy in our country.
“This anniversary is a celebration of purpose and of what can be achieved when an institution is committed to human capital, a just society, and a fairer society, which we have all been part of,” Obi said.
The anniversary highlights included a book launch, presentations of awards to outstanding staff and partners, and a posthumous award to Mr. John Moru, who served as ActionAid’s Governance Team Leader in 2005. The award was received by his wife, Abiemwense Moru, and daughter, Kylie John-Moru, who expressed gratitude to ActionAid Nigeria for recognizing his contributions.
