As the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation marks three decades of its initiatives in Nigeria, journalist Olusegun Adeniyi delves into the foundation’s significant impact on the country.

Founded in 1970, the MacArthur Foundation was established to support “creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world,” with a primary focus on promoting the public good. Over the last fifty years, the Foundation has allocated billions of dollars to support non-profit organizations in approximately 117 countries. Since the dawn of the new millennium, it has granted an average of over $200 million annually to programs spanning higher education, the arts, mental health, human rights, population control, economic development, affordable housing, and justice reform.

Now, as the Foundation celebrates 30 years of its efforts in Nigeria (1994-2024) and the conclusion of its On Nigeria Programme (2016-2024), it’s an opportune time to reflect on what has become a fruitful partnership. The journey commenced during a crucial period in January 1994, under the military dictatorship of Sani Abacha, when scholars and activists gathered in Ibadan to inaugurate the MacArthur Nigeria Office for the Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) Programme. Over the past three decades, its grants have strengthened higher education institutions across Nigeria while promoting greater transparency and accountability in the public sector. Additionally, it has advanced human rights and the rule of law, empowered vulnerable communities with essential skills, and enhanced reproductive health for countless women and girls.

Notably, the Foundation’s initial grant portfolio under the PRH initiative has supported individuals through the Fund for Leadership Development. Many recipients of this fund have emerged as national and global leaders in population and reproductive health, crafting innovative solutions to complex challenges. These leaders have been instrumental in transforming maternal service delivery and ensuring accountability in reproductive health. Furthermore, the Foundation has emphasized gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) within Girls’ Secondary Education, leading to increased enrollment of girls in schools, more inclusive classroom environments, and amplified voices of students and educators.

From 2015 to January 2024, the MacArthur Foundation invested over $150 million in its ‘Big Bet strategy,’ aimed at fostering more responsive government agencies and strengthening civil society. This initiative encourages collective action to test and implement crucial laws and policies that uphold accountability. By supporting the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law in Nigeria, the Foundation seeks to improve criminal justice procedures, ensuring that historically marginalized groups are justly protected from the detrimental effects of corruption. In addition, the Foundation backs efforts to enhance anti-corruption agencies and enforce various anti-corruption laws, making it increasingly challenging to engage in corrupt practices.

The Foundation’s support extends to various media outlets, academic institutions, entertainment companies, and civil society organizations addressing corruption in state institutions. These organizations share a common mission and collaborate to increase their collective impact. To achieve their goals, Nigerian citizens, civil society actors, and other non-state participants—including historically marginalized groups—advocate for transparency and accountability while utilizing mechanisms to seek redress against corruption and demand public services. The Foundation’s media and journalism initiative aims to strengthen investigative and data-driven journalism in Nigeria, underscoring the crucial role of independent media in exposing and documenting corruption.

The influence of the MacArthur Foundation goes beyond that of a typical grant-making entity; it acts as a mentor to leaders and an agile collaborator while empowering civil society to swiftly adjust to changes in the landscape. This adaptability was particularly evident during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Foundation has supported various Nigerian entertainment organizations in exploring themes related to corruption across radio, television, and online programming and has aided religious leaders and interfaith groups in becoming advocates against corruption, fostering dialogue on the intersection of corruption, accountability, and religion in Nigeria.

Dr. Kole Shettima has been pivotal to the Foundation’s achievements in Nigeria. As the Country Director since 1999, Shettima has facilitated strategic interventions across a range of sectors, including reproductive health, human rights, justice, secondary and higher education, and accountability. His personal narrative—growing up as the only child of a widowed mother in Machina, Yobe State—has instilled in him a deep commitment to advocating for the underprivileged.

In conclusion, after three decades of impactful philanthropic work, the MacArthur Foundation has exemplified how persistent advocacy, strategic collaboration, and innovative approaches can drive meaningful progress, as seen in its transformative efforts in Nigeria.