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What We Do

Read all about our STAND project - Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in the Niger Delta

STAND (Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in the Niger Delta) is a civil society initiative aimed at improving governance in Nigeria, with a focus on local government in the Niger Delta region. It seeks to contribute to poverty reduction and improvements in the quality of life of communities by addressing the chronic levels of underdevelopment, a root causes of the conflict in the region.

Good Governance

The advent of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 has not resulted in an improvement of the lives of the population in the Niger Delta. This is due to endemic corruption by the Delta states elites in order to maintain a patronage network of de facto power. The 2003 and 2007 elections in the Niger Delta were extensively rigged and there has been breakdown of the social contract.

Peace Building

The situation in the Niger Delta is causing grave international concern. The conflict that has significantly worsened in last year is now threatening the stability of Nigeria, the development of West Africa and world energy security.

Human Rights

Unfortunately, there are daily human rights abuses by both state and non state actors in an increasingly hostile Niger Delta. SDN is committed to supporting human rights defenders within the Niger Delta and promoting internationally recognised standards for economic, social and cultural rights.

Community Empowerment

SDN works to promote local representative bodies and ensure that that have the social tools they need to drive local development efforts within existing government frameworks.