Connected Development

As Nigeria approaches one of its defining moments, the 2027 general elections, the media and civil society remain critical pillars of our democracy.

Connected Development joined the Media & Civil Society Roundtable convened by Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Abuja, to advance conversations on credible, peaceful and inclusive elections ahead of 2027.

Represented by our Communications Manager, Stephen Akinfala, CODE shared the role our Election Observation initiative, Uzabe, plays in election observation, real-time reporting, and the verification of electoral information.

Alongside learning from fellow participants at the event, CODE reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to the Uzabe platform for journalists, CSOs and other stakeholders, strengthening collaboration, combating misinformation, and promoting timely, verified election updates.

The convening provided a valuable platform to reflect on the challenges faced during previous elections and to collectively explore solutions ahead of 2027.

It’s the Day of the African Child.

Across the communities Connected Development serves, we continue to see the African child show strength and resilience amidst a plethora of challenges. Today, we’re reminded that we must ensure universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene for every child in Africa.

But for thousands of children, the more urgent question is whether their school even has water, working toilets, or is safe enough to walk into. Across Nigeria, school kidnappings have spread, forcing entire local governments to shut their schools indefinitely, even as millions of children remain out of school.

A school without water or safety has neither dignity nor a future. Protection and provision are not separate promises; they are one and the same. Secure our schools, and fix what’s broken inside them.

This Day of the African Child, arise and deliver on the promise.