VP Shettima lauds MacArthur Foundation’s contribution to Nigeria’s development
By Kunle Sanni
Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised the MacArthur Foundation for its significant contributions to Nigeria’s development and democracy over the past three decades.
Shettima called on the Foundation to strengthen its partnership with the federal government to accelerate the implementation of the programs and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking at a forum commemorating the 30th anniversary of the MacArthur Foundation in Abuja on Wednesday, VP Shettima emphasized the importance of collaboration in governance.
“No government can, or should, function in isolation. The success of every democracy lies in accepting and nurturing partnerships,” the VP was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesperson, Stanley Nkwocha.
According to the Vice President, after 30 years of observing its interventions, it is clear that the Foundation has “demonstrated the importance of collaboration, the value of partnership, and the cost of conflict in service delivery.”
“The successes we have achieved across various sectors of our nation—especially in promoting accountability in governance—are owed to our shared resolve to work together,” he added.
Extending a hand of partnership to the organization, VP Shettima, who was represented at the event by the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters (Office of the Vice President), Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said, “We invite the MacArthur Foundation and its beneficiaries to work closely with us as we strive to accelerate the fulfillment of our promises to the nation. In areas where our interests align, let us show that we are united in our purpose—to serve the people of Nigeria.”
He recalled the impact of the Foundation’s interventions in the country over the years, noting that “the scope and frequency of your support have had far-reaching consequences.
“The beneficiaries of your grants are not distant or abstract figures—they are everyday people. They are organizations and individuals who, without your timely interventions, might have faltered in their civic pursuits. They are the promoters of democratic values, the visionaries advocating for a society where fairness and justice are not mere ideals but lived realities,” the VP further noted.
On the Foundation’s contributions to advancing democracy in Nigeria, the Vice President expressed confidence that the Foundation has inscribed its name into the fabric of Nigeria’s democracy.
He continued: “Your presence has been a central anchor in promoting initiatives that not only influence good governance but also contribute significantly to our nation’s human capital.
“The voices you have empowered and the platforms you have uplifted have become catalysts for building a Nigeria that works—a nation where governance is constantly challenged, not out of malice or partisanship, but through the sincere efforts of those driven by integrity, rather than electoral ambitions.”
Senator Shettima commended the MacArthur Foundation’s 30 years of dedication to the service of humanity, noting that its contributions “represent a journey marked by commitment, courage, and a steadfast vision to uplift the most vulnerable.”
“The experience of this distinguished foundation reflects determination, an unyielding pursuit of a better society, and a conscious choice of the path less traveled—one guided by compassion, hope, and the predictable outcome of lasting impact,” he added.
