Centre for Inclusive Social Development

Where Is the Empathy in Government?

She sat on the roadside, her head bowed, her eyes heavy with fatigue, and a bucket of drinks was placed before her. On her back was a baby, barely two years old, watching quietly, bound to a life she did not choose. This moment, captured and shared by a content creator, reveals a harsh truth about Nigeria's social reality and raises a critical question about government responsiveness to citizens' suffering.

Nigerian Women in Politics: Breaking Barriers, Shaping Futures

As the world gears up to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2025, the spotlight turns to the remarkable yet underrepresented force of Nigerian women in politics. Women make up nearly half of Nigeria's estimated 220 million people, yet their voices in the corridors of power remain a whisper compared to their potential roar.

Meeting People Where They Are: What Opay Teaches Us about Designing for Dignity

There's something quietly radical happening on the streets of Nigeria. It's not in the halls of power or executive towers, but in the hands of bike riders, market women, students, and small traders. Opay has become more than a fintech—it's a civic technology that teaches us about designing systems with dignity, inclusion, and real understanding of people's lived experiences.

OUR CORE MISSION

Bridging the Gap

CISD exists because development and policy don't always speak the same language. We bridge the gap between community realities and institutional frameworks—transforming reforms into people-owned change. Whether through grassroots engagement, policy advocacy, or human-centered design (HCD), we tackle systemic challenges where they start—on the ground, with the people.

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STRATEGIC GOALS

2024 - 2028 Goals

• Strengthen policy frameworks for inclusive governance and human capital development.
• Deepen accountability and budget efficiency in education, health, and livelihood sectors.
• Mainstream intersectionality in advocacy and programming.
• Shift development approaches from top-down implementation to locally-driven reform.
• Build long-term, multi-sectoral partnerships and resilient internal systems.

EXPLORE 2025 REFORMS

Featured Updates

Impactful work at Centre for Inclusive Social Development

CAMPAIGN

Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All

World Breastfeeding Week highlights a critical mission: ensuring every mother has the support she needs to breastfeed successfully. While global exclusive breastfeeding rates have increased by 10% over 12 years, Nigeria's 29% rate reveals significant gaps. This year's campaign focuses on creating inclusive, culturally sensitive support systems that address systemic barriers and promote equity in breastfeeding outcomes for all mothers, regardless of background or circumstances.

Folahan Johnson // August 19, 2025

ANALYSIS

Nutrition for Growth: How Proper Nutrition Can Transform Lives and Address Systemic Inequalities

From a hungry child walking miles to school to global economic transformation, nutrition is more than food—it's about breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. This analysis explores how proper nutrition can unlock human potential while addressing the systemic barriers that keep millions from accessing adequate food and the transformative power of equitable nutrition policies.

Michael Daramola // August 19, 2025

ANALYSIS

Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria: Progress and Challenges

Nigeria's journey toward improving maternal and child health has been marked by significant policy developments and international commitments, yet the country continues to face one of the highest maternal and child mortality rates globally. This analysis explores six decades of progress, persistent challenges, and the path forward for ensuring every Nigerian mother and child has access to quality healthcare.

Folahan Johnson // August 19, 2025

Core Issues

Advance Inclusive Governance

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Promote Health Equity & Access

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Champion Gender and Social Inclusion

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Strengthen Transparency & Accountability

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Empower Livelihood & Economic Inclusion

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Gendered Tech Design

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Reform Natural Resource & Tax Governance

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Strengthen Civic Tech & Inclusion

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AI and Ethics for Governance

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The Centre for Inclusive Social Development works to build a Nigeria that is democratic, just, and free.

Our Work

Innovative reforms to protect our democracy.

News & Analysis

Research & Reports

Policy Solutions

Experts

Attend an Event

VIRTUAL EVENT

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Monthly Learning Jams and Community Dialogues

Speakers: Folahan Johnson, George Kacuna, Chinoso Asuma, Nkenna Williams, Natalie Tennant