The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concerns over Nigeria's progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions. According to CISLAC's Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, the country is facing governance challenges due to weak implementation, enforcement, transparency, and institutional accountability. Rafsanjani made these remarks during the launch of the ninth Nigeria SDG 16 Shadow Report at a side event of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The report, covering the period from July 2025 to August 2026, provides an independent assessment of Nigeria's progress and setbacks in implementing SDG 16. While Nigeria has made legislative and policy advances, implementation and enforcement remain weak, inconsistent, and sometimes undermined by political interference. Rafsanjani noted that the country recorded important institutional and enforcement actions, particularly in the areas of illicit financial flows, asset recovery, and anti-money laundering.
However, these developments have yet to translate into corresponding improvements in the country's legal framework, public confidence, transparency, and access to information. CISLAC's findings point to persistent governance challenges, including political corruption, which continues to undermine anti-corruption efforts. Concerns over asset declaration and unexplained wealth raise critical questions about the management and protection of public resources.
Rafsanjani also expressed concern over the transparency surrounding asset recovery, noting that the public is often not adequately informed about the processes involved or what happens to assets recovered by the government. He warned that without effective post-recovery tracking and public accountability, recovered assets could become vulnerable to mismanagement and reproduce the cycle of corruption.
The report highlights the erosion of institutional integrity, particularly within the judiciary, security institutions, and electoral bodies, which are fundamental pillars of democratic governance. Public confidence in these institutions remains a major concern, citing allegations involving senior judicial figures, concerns surrounding electoral processes, and weaknesses in the vetting of political appointees.
Another major concern raised by the report is the growing scale of insecurity in the country, particularly the commercialization of kidnapping for ransom. Rafsanjani noted that this has implications beyond conventional security concerns, including governance, economic development, human rights, and the rule of law. He stressed that citizens who cannot live, work, or travel without fear cannot enjoy the foundations of peaceful and inclusive societies.
Rafsanjani called on the Federal Government, civil society organizations, development partners, and the international community to renew their commitment to SDG 16 through concrete and measurable action. He emphasized that national development cannot be sustained without justice, accountability, and strong institutions, and that Nigeria must move from commitments to implementation and from institutions on paper to institutions that work for the people.
Key points
- Weak implementation and enforcement of SDG 16 initiatives hinder Nigeria's progress towards achieving peace, justice, and strong institutions.
- Political interference and corruption undermine anti-corruption efforts and the management of public resources.
- Strengthening institutions, protecting civic space, and improving transparency are crucial to achieving SDG 16 and sustainable development in Nigeria.
