Where SPARC works

SPARC supports governance reforms in five of Nigeria's 36 states: Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos. These have an estimated combined population of over 32 million. To help push forwards its work in states, SPARC also works with the Federal Government agencies that back up governance reform at state level.

Why is SPARC needed in Nigeria?

In the half century since independence Nigeria has made slow progress in reducing poverty and, today, over half of the population still live in poverty. As the world's eleventh largest oil producer, the economy depends almost entirely on earnings from oil and gas which make up over 90% of exports and 80% of revenues. Despite its oil wealth, Nigeria's economy has not grown as fast as it might – and nor have improvements to public services and living conditions for most of the population. By bringing about governance changes, SPARC will support progress and help improve the lives of millions of poor people.

Why only work in five states?

Working in only a few states means that SPARC can concentrate its efforts and achieve more. But this doesn't mean that SPARC's impact will only be limited to those five states. In fact, we hope that the lessons we learn and the reforms we implement will spread and be replicated by the other states, as there is already evidence that progress in one state spurs neighbouring states to introduce similar reforms.