#Safer Nigeria Campaign

Safer Communities for Sustainable and Inclusive Development in Nigeria

SDG 11

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

SDG 16

Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies.

SaferCom is a national community-based, citizen-driven SDG 11 and 16 development impact program. The link between SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) is clear -sustainable development and economic resilience cannot be achieved without peace, security, and strong institutions that uphold the rule of law.

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SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This requires addressing issues like urban violence, crime, and lack of access to justice. Peaceful and just societies are a prerequisite for sustainable urban development, as high levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country's economic growth and development. While SDG 16 focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions. This is crucial for creating the conditions necessary for economically resilient communities to thrive.

The SaferCom program captures this interdependence well. Peace, security and strong institutions are the foundation upon which economically resilient communities can be built. When people feel safe and secure, they are more likely to invest, start businesses, and participate in the local economy.

Effective and accountable institutions that uphold the rule of law and provide equal access to justice are essential for protecting property rights, enforcing contracts, and combating corruption - all of which are key drivers of economic development. Conversely, conflict, violence, and weak institutions undermine economic progress. They disrupt trade and investment, destroy infrastructure, and divert resources away from productive economic activities. This traps communities in cycles of poverty and instability.

The SaferCom program rightly emphasizes that sustainable and inclusive economic development, as outlined in SDG 11, is contingent on achieving the goals of SDG 16 - promoting peace, justice and strong institutions.

The program’s framework underscores the need for a comprehensive, integrated approach to people-driven security sector governance and institutional strengthening for safe and secure communities. This means also empowering citizens to participate in security decision-making processes, strengthening the capacity and accountability of security institutions, and fostering collaborative partnerships between communities, government, and the private sector to address local security challenges. Ultimately, this holistic perspective that bridges SDG 11 and 16 is crucial for breaking cycles of poverty, inequality and instability, and laying the groundwork for thriving, equitable and resilient communities that can withstand future challenges.

A community-based, citizen-driven security intelligence network is crucial for achieving these goals. As the UNDP highlights, a “people-centered approach to security” that engages local communities is key to creating the conditions for sustainable development. This involves strengthening multi-agency collaboration, supporting governments to align security policies with the SDGs, and reflecting real security needs in local plans and strategies through community security programs.

A national, community-driven security intelligence framework can support the achievement of SDG 11 and 16 in several ways:

    • ⭐Strengthening community engagement and participation in security decision-making, in line with SDG 16.7’s call for responsive, inclusive, and representative institutions.
    • ⭐Improving the delivery of security services and enabling communities to identify their own security needs and solutions, as per the UNDP’s people-centered approach.
    • ⭐Enhancing intelligence sharing, early warning, and coordinated responses to address local security challenges that undermine sustainable development.
    • ⭐Building the capacity of civil society, parliaments, and independent oversight bodies to monitor security sector governance and hold institutions accountable.
    • ⭐Promoting a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach that brings together government, private sector, and community actors to tackle complex, interconnected security and development challenges.

By empowering local communities, strengthening institutions, and fostering collaborative solutions, SAFERCom is dedicated to building the foundations of peaceful, just, and economically resilient societies. This also serves as a powerful reminder of the indivisible nature of the 2030 Agenda and the importance of addressing its various goals in a coordinated and mutually reinforcing manner.

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SAFERCom

Policy Podiums

National Security Strategy - December 2019
 

NATIONAL POLICY PODIUM

African Union Agenda 2063

 

REGIONAL POLICY PODIUM

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

INTERNATIONAL POLICY PODIUM