Plan International Nigeria has announced a five-year strategy to empower 20 million girls nationwide, building on a decade of humanitarian work that has already reached 36 million Nigerians.
The organisation will establish its first Nigerian-led advisory board with 15 members representing all six geopolitical zones, marking a significant shift toward local governance of its operations.
“The team will be led and governed by Nigerians to make permanent changes in the lives of Nigerians,” said Country Director Charles Usie during a media briefing in Abuja last week.
Since establishing its presence in Nigeria in 2014, Plan International has invested over €100 billion in projects focusing on education, sexual and reproductive health, nutrition, and infrastructure development. The organisation has completed 103 of its 127 initiated projects across 19 states.
“In celebration of our 10 years of existence in Nigeria, as a humanitarian and developmental; organisation, we are presenting a new strategy for the next five years,” Mr. Usie said.
He further stated, “Education is the central thing that we have been doing. For girls, we believe that when they have been educated, they can thrive and soar and contribute meaningfully to societal growth.”
The organisation’s impact has extended beyond education to include:
- Protection from violence and abuse
- Peace-building initiatives in Kaduna, Plateau, and Borno states
- Skills acquisition programs
- Food security projects
- Health and nutrition interventions
Currently, Plan International is managing 24 active projects scheduled to run from July 2024 to June 2025. The organisation’s work has reached approximately 12 percent of Nigeria’s population, according to Usie.
Looking ahead, the organisation plans to transition to a global federation model in Nigeria, which a woman will head. This structural change aims to enhance the organisation’s ability to create a sustainable impact across the country.
Resources for the new strategic plan have already been mobilised through the organisation’s headquarters in Canada.
“Looking back at our decade of work, we can proudly say we have brought real change to Nigerian communities,” said Usie. “The Nigerian office has added value, provided support, and created hope for beneficiaries of its projects across the country.”
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