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Enabling Citizens Action for Effective Grassroots Governance.
Grassroots Center for Rights & Civic Orientation is an activist and innovative organization working to empower citizens and influence state actors for the promotion of human rights, development, democracy and good governance in Nigeria. Our theory of change is anchored on the notion that when citizens are accurately informed about their rights, roles and responsibilities, they will be better equipped to engage key governance processes. Registered in 2018, with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Number: 108602, Grassroots Center for Rights & Civic Orientation was founded in response to the top-heavy advocacy and engagements, which focus almost exclusively on the national level of governance to the detriment of the grassroots level. This Center is therefore committed to beaming the spotlight on critical issues of grassroots governance and ensuring those issues resonate with citizens.
This Center anchors its interventions on the notion that respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms in a democracy would only be possible, if citizens have the right civic orientation to engage key processes, which would in turn provide outcomes for the benefits of rights holders. Although the minds shaping institutions of the State have their responsibilities in this context, the urgency of reversing the democratic governance deficits, especially at the grassroots in Nigeria requires a whole of government, whole of society approach. The contextual situation and the opportunity for the realization of the vision and mission of Grassroots Center for Rights & Civic Orientation will be found in the recent push for the financial autonomy of Local Governments.
After decades of advocacy for democracy at the local government level, the Supreme Court in July 2024 handed down a landmark ruling, which mandated that democratic elections must be held across all of Nigeria’s local governments. At the last count, the vast majority of states have conducted local government elections. Grassroots Center for Rights & Civic Orientation is committed to using its knowledge production and convening capabilities to advocate for credible polls, effective governance and robust citizens participation at the grassroots level.
We envision a democratic, secure and prosperous Nigeria where citizens are accurately informed and grassroots governance is effective.
We are committed to citizens’ enlightenment through access to accurate information for effective and participatory governance.
