In early October 2024, the Ford Foundation and the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) came together for two days of meaningful discussions to deepen their long-standing partnership and explore fresh opportunities for collaboration in the Niger Delta. What began as a field visit quickly evolved into strategic dialogues that promise to bring about impactful change.
The first day kicked off with a Ford delegation, led by Professor Anthony Bebbington, International Director for Natural Resources and Climate Change (NRCC), visiting PIND’s Port Harcourt office. Joined by Emmanuel Kuyole, Joy Ehinor-Esezobor, and Chizulu Uwolloh, the team aimed to get a closer look at PIND’s on-the-ground programs and how their work is making a tangible difference in the region.
For years, Ford has been a key supporter of PIND, backing initiatives like the Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) program and the Bridges Project, which focuses on stakeholder engagement and capacity-building for implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). This visit was an opportunity to strengthen those ties and discover new areas of collaboration, particularly in climate change mitigation, resource governance, and Peacebuilding.
During the meeting, Chuks Ofulue, PIND’s Advocacy Manager, facilitated discussions with key program officers from the Advocacy Unit, NDLink Project, Peacebuilding Unit, and the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Unit. The meeting opened with a video showcasing PIND’s programs and theory of change, focusing on the critical intersection of peacebuilding and economic development. Ford’s delegation was keen to explore how PIND’sinitiatives are directly contributing to regional stability a nd prosperity. Professor Bebbington commended the impactful work PIND has been doing, emphasizing the importance
The following day, attention shifted to Ford Foundation’s refreshed NRCC strategy, presented to
key partners, including Tunji Idowu, PIND’s Executive Director, and senior Ford Foundation staff like Dr. Chichi Aniagolu and Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima. This convening at Ford’s Lagos office, was a major milestone in Ford’s commitment to sustainable development and climate action in Africa.
The updated NRCC strategy merges three core programs within the Foundation and focuses on climate change mitigation, forest governance, and addressing inequalities in land ownership and energy access. A core pillar of the strategy is ensuring just and equitable energy transitions, with a strong emphasis on avoiding the disenfranchisement of vulnerable communities during climate adaptation efforts.
The conversations over the two days underscore the shared vision between PIND and Ford for innovation, inclusion, and sustainability. Both organizations expressed commitments to solutions that are rooted in local realities, focusing on climate adaptation, economic development, and peacebuilding. A strengthened collaboration between them will further address the Niger Delta’s immediate socio-economic needs while laying the groundwork for scaling solutions. A follow-up meeting with Ford Foundation partners is scheduled for November 2024, where partners will continue to align their strategies and establish a roadmap for ongoing collaboration.
