ActionAid Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the rural-urban divide through inclusive development, digital empowerment, and sustainable community-driven initiatives.
During a strategic visit to the Tungan Ashere community in the Federal Capital Territory, the organisation’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, led a high-level delegation that included board members, general assembly representatives, and development experts. The team assessed the long-term impact of ongoing interventions, while listening directly to the needs and aspirations of residents.
Mamedu challenged the prevailing mindset that equates rural communities with underdevelopment, urging government at all levels—especially state governments—to invest meaningfully in rural infrastructure and social services.
“Rural communities in other countries enjoy basic amenities and still retain their rural identity. In Nigeria, we wrongly associate rural with lack,” Mamedu said. “The next Dangote or Jeff Bezos may be living right here, simply waiting for opportunity.”
He criticised what he described as symbolic, “tokenistic” gestures by government agencies, pointing to a non-functional electricity pole in the area as a glaring example. “We don’t need photo ops; we need real results,” he stated.
The visit spotlighted a range of ActionAid-backed projects in Tungan Ashere, spanning education, agriculture, renewable energy, and digital literacy. A key highlight was a live demonstration at the community’s solar-powered ICT centre built in partnership with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) where residents recently engaged in a video call with partners in the United States.
Community head, Mr. Sani Yakubu, praised ActionAid’s efforts, particularly its support for women farmers and digital training initiatives. He noted that the ICT centre has become a vital learning hub for surrounding villages.
However, he also lamented the area’s poor education infrastructure. “We only have one block with three classrooms, serving pupils from Primary 1 to 6. Classes take turns to avoid disruption,” Yakubu explained.
Mamedu reiterated that ActionAid’s goal goes beyond aid—it’s about transformation. “Every child should learn. Every pole should light up. Every potential must be realised. This is the change we’re committed to—and we will continue to fight for it,” he said.
The team also reviewed the impact of ActionAid’s REFLECT approach, a participatory development model that empowers communities to articulate their needs and collaborate effectively with local authorities. Through this method, the community has seen several milestones, including the launch of the Presidential Water Scheme in 2017, new school buildings supported by the UBE programme, and enhanced digital access via the Breaking Digital Barriers initiative, backed by One World and funded by the FCDO.
