DEBT AND TAX JUSTICE
The Debt and Tax Justice Campaign, spearheaded by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI), emerges against the backdrop of a concerning financial landscape in Nigeria’s Southwest region.
About Us
BBYDI launched the Debt and Tax Justice Campaign, aiming to raise awareness, empower citizens, and engage stakeholders to promote responsible fiscal practices and advocate for transparent debt management processes in the Southwest region. The Campaign aimed to instigate awareness and advocacy for transparent fiscal practices within the Southwest region.
Activities & Impacts
01.
The Planning Meeting
The Planning Meeting aimed to foster collaborative dialogues and engagements among key stakeholders. Its primary objectives were to establish a cohesive approach towards developing effective debt management strategies, enhancing fiscal transparency, and ensuring accountable governance for sustainable economic development.
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The meeting hosted 27 participants representing diverse sectors, including civil society organizations (CSOs), academia, budget experts, and stakeholders from Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.
Significant results from the activity- Alignment of Stakeholders
- Clear Understanding of Project Objectives
- Invaluable Insights and Ideas
- Identification of Key Roles
- Building Solidarity and Buy-in
02.
Crafting of Desk Review
This activity aimed to assess and address gaps within the tax and debt management framework, hindering fiscal transparency and accountable governance. Its objectives encompassed identifying challenges, formulating actionable recommendations, and disseminating these findings to stakeholders.
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This process was divided into key stages, including the selection of an expert consultant, the design and production of the Desk Review Report, and the creation of the Scorecard Report
Significant results from the activity- Identification of Systemic Gaps
- Actionable Recommendations
- Crafted Desk Review and Scorecard Reports
- Stakeholder Engagement and Dissemination
03.
Development of IEC Materials
The objective of the activity is to contribute to sustainable economic development by establishing a framework for prudent debt management and fiscal transparency in Nigeria. The primary aims include creating informative and localized materials to effectively reach the target audience, fostering awareness and engagement on transparent borrowing practices and accountable debt management at both national and regional levels, and promoting continuous discussion among stakeholders.
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The activity yielded a range of IEC materials, including 50 T-shirts, 50 Exercise Books, 4 Infographic designs and 4 Event Banners, crafted to effectively inform and engage diverse audiences in English and local langua
significant results from the activity- Tailored and Informative Materials
- Enhanced Outreach and Awareness
- Targeted Audience Engagement
04.
Validation Meeting, Dialogue and Press Briefing
This activity aimed to facilitate inclusive dialogues among key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society groups, and regional representatives, focusing on effective debt management, fiscal transparency, and accountable governance. The objectives encompass presenting draft desk review findings to a wider audience for enriched inputs, strengthening the evidence base for advocating improved prudence and accountability in borrowing and raising public awareness about the debt situation’s socio-economic impact in the Southwest region.
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The meeting received 52 participants across the southwest region from various sectors, including government representatives, CSOs, academia, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), youth groups, media houses, and the Coalition of Tax and Debt Justice in the Southwest.
Significant results from the meeting- Enriched Desk Review Findings
- Enhanced Evidence for Advocacy
- Inclusive Stakeholder Participation
- Raised Public Awareness
- Refined Strategies and Input Gathering
05.
Live Radio Hour Program
The Live Radio Hour Program on Debt Justice, underpinned by the production of jingles in both English and Yoruba, aimed to bolster public awareness about the repercussions of irresponsible borrowing practices and underscore the significance of transparent debt management. The campaign sought to actively engage citizens by encouraging participation in discussions, content sharing, and advocacy for responsible borrowing. The session involved the production and airing of jingles on radio stations such as Rave FM in Osun, Adaba FM in Ondo, Fresh FM in Ogun, and Fresh FM in Ekiti.
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Additionally, live radio shows were hosted twice in Lagos on Bond FM and in Oyo on CrestFM, featuring participation from a Tax Justice Expert, media representatives, and the citizens of the Southwest region
Significant results from the activity- Increased Public Awareness
- Citizen Engagement
- Localized Impact
- Expert Involvement
- Media Collaboration
- Southwest Citizen Participation
06.
Vox Pop
The Vox Pop in the Southwest Community, complemented by engagement with a media expert for production, sought to elevate public awareness of the repercussions of irresponsible borrowing practices and underscore the significance of transparent debt management.
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This activity involved the production of vox pops, coupled with campaign highlights, disseminated across multimedia platforms to amplify community voices and emphasize the imperative for transparent fiscal practices. Participants included media experts and citizens from the Southwest region, fostering a collaborative effort to bring attention to responsible debt management practices through authentic community perspectives.
Significant results from the activity- Heightened Public Awareness
- Authentic Community Voices
- Media Collaboration
- Community Advocacy
07.
Inter-Campus Debate
The Inter Campus Debate on Debt Justice involved strategic engagement with university authorities to facilitate student participation, the selection of judges, and the development of debate guidelines. The session experienced the production of comprehensive guidelines covering key topics related to debt justice, fiscal policies, and accountable governance, all collaboratively developed by participating students.
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From 52 submissions across universities, 16 participants were identified to engage in discussions on debt and tax justice during the debate. Participants included South West universities, undergraduate students, and media representatives, fostering a multi-stakeholder dialogue on crucial issues in fiscal responsibility
Significant results from the activity- Student Engagement
- Comprehensive Debate Guidelines
- Diverse Topic Exploration
- Strategic University Partnerships
Achievements
Wide-Scale Awareness
The project reached over 1,000,000 individuals for the entire duration of the project, with a gender distribution of 60% female and 40% male. This extensive reach underscores the campaign's effectiveness in disseminating crucial information on fiscal responsibility
Citizen Engagement
Through Vox Pop, live radio programs and jingles, the campaign has actively involved citizens in discussions, content sharing, and advocacy for transparent borrowing practices. The Vox Pop activity facilitated community engagement through the engagement and production of six citizens impactful Vox pops, available in both English and Yoruba languages. Collaboratively created with media experts and shared across various platforms, these vox pops empowered citizens to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on transparent fiscal practices and responsible debt management.
Localised Impact and Expert Involvement
The inclusion of tax justice experts enriched discussions and provided valuable insights into debt-related matters. The targeted radio programs in Oyo, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, and Lagos facilitated region-specific engagement, resonating with the local audience and enhancing the campaign's impact on responsible debt management.
GESI Update
Mainstreaming GESI was well considered during the project planning and implementation. Women and marginalised groups were specifically targeted in the planning of the Debt & Tax Justice Campaign. The statistics highlight the impact of the initiatives, with 5,357 individuals directly contacted and over 1 million indirectly reached. The gender distribution reflects a focus on empowering women and girls, with 60% of beneficiaries being female. The age range of 18 to 65 years ensures inclusivity and responsiveness to diverse needs. The Debt and Tax Justice Campaign achieved significant milestones through various initiatives like zonal meetings, live radio programs, jingles, and debates, the campaign engaged citizens in discussions, encouraged responsible borrowing practices, and advocated for transparent fiscal policies. The involvement of tax justice experts enriched discussions, and the translation of campaign materials into local languages enhanced inclusivity. The campaign empowered citizens to voice their concerns, advocate for accountability, and actively participate in shaping fiscal policies. Citizen engagement through vox pops, live radio programs, and jingles facilitated community involvement and fostered meaningful dialogue.
Collaboration and Networking
The Debt and Tax Justice Campaign prioritized collaboration and networking as integral components of its strategy to maximize impact and reach within the Southwest region. Through strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including tax justice experts, civil society organizations, media outlets, and academia, the campaign leveraged collective expertise and resources to amplify its advocacy efforts and engage diverse audiences. One notable collaboration was with prominent radio stations such as CrestFM, Fresh FM, Rave FM, and Adaba FM, where BBYDI aired radio programs and jingles to raise awareness about debt justice and transparent fiscal practices. These partnerships facilitated the dissemination of campaign messages to broad audiences across the Southwest states, effectively engaging citizens in discussions and advocacy for responsible borrowing practices.
The translation of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials into local languages further expanded the campaign's reach and inclusivity, ensuring that diverse audiences, including non-English speakers, were effectively engaged. This collaboration with language experts and community leaders helped tailor campaign messages to resonate with local communities, fostering greater understanding and participation in advocacy efforts.