By PATRICIA AMOGU

Nigeria is set to participate with a 120-man national delegation at the 17th World Social Forum (WSF 2026), scheduled for Aug. 4 to Aug. 8 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.

The Chief Host of the WSF delegation and Focal Person of the Nigeria Platform for the 17th World Social Forum Coordination Team, Amb. Zainab Mohammed, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 130 countries are expected to participate in the forum.

The event will provide Nigeria an opportunity to showcase its cultural heritage, cuisine, investment opportunities and commitment to peace and sustainable development.

Mohammed said Nigeria’s participation would promote African-led solutions to global social challenges and strengthen the country’s contribution to regional and international dialogue.

She said the forum would also provide an opportunity to campaign for Nigeria to host a future edition of the WSF.

The ambassador outlined the WSF as one of the world’s largest gatherings of civil society organisations, governments, academia, youth groups, labour unions, women, indigenous communities and development partners.

She said the forum had, for more than two decades, provided a platform for exchanging ideas and developing practical solutions to global challenges.

According to her, the return of the forum to West Africa would enable the region to demonstrate African leadership, innovation and home-grown solutions to challenges such as peace and security, democratic governance, food security, climate change, social justice and inclusive development.

Mohammed said Nigeria’s participation was strategic, as it would showcase the country’s innovation, cultural heritage, grassroots initiatives and policy experiences while contributing to discussions on regional cooperation and sustainable development.

She said the Nigeria Platform, coordinated by the Global Convergence for the Struggles of Land, Water and Seeds–West Africa (CLTE-WA), would organise the 5th West African Caravan.

She added that the caravan would depart Abuja on July 30, pass through Benin City and Lagos before arriving in Cotonou.

Mohammed said the caravan would bring together youth leaders, women, farmers, labour unions, persons with disabilities, traditional institutions, researchers, entrepreneurs, artists, media practitioners and civil society organisations to promote regional integration and people-to-people cooperation.

She disclosed that plans were underway to establish a Nigeria Village at the forum to showcase the country’s culture, creativity, entrepreneurship, agricultural potential and development initiatives to participants from Africa and beyond.

Mohammed appealed to government institutions, development partners, the private sector, educational institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations and the media to support Nigeria’s participation.

She described the 2026 edition as historic, saying it would provide opportunities to attract partnerships and practical solutions for national development.

Mohammed said the delegation, drawn from civil society organisations and networks across the 36 states, would return with practical recommendations to address issues affecting Nigeria and the continent.

Earlier, Nigeria’s Global Tourism Ambassador, Mr Phillip Roberts, said the delegation would use the forum to promote Nigeria as a tourism, cultural and investment destination.

Roberts said Nigeria would showcase its cultural heritage, cuisine and investment opportunities while projecting the country as a destination for peace, dialogue and economic cooperation.

The Communications Officer of World Social Forum Nigeria, Mr Jeremiah Agala, said the forum would provide an opportunity to discuss human rights, land rights, economic inclusion and other social challenges affecting communities, particularly women and young people.

Agala expressed optimism that the discussions would produce practical, solution-driven recommendations for implementation at community, national and regional levels to promote inclusive development.

The National President of the Tomato and Orchard Producers Association of Nigeria, Mr Oyeleke Bolajo, said the forum would provide a platform to showcase Nigeria’s agricultural innovations and promote value addition.

He added that It would attract partnerships capable of boosting agribusiness, youth empowerment and investment in the sector. (NAN)

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