Nigerian philanthropists have given a total of $434.17 million in the last five years, according to a report published by the African Philanthropy Forum (AFP). 

Philanthropic donations ranged from a low of $922, to as high as just over $14 million.  

The study was carried out evaluating a total of 31 Nigerian philanthropists.  

Findings were explored at an event organised by the AFP in Lagos, calling ‘Catalyzing Local Philanthropy for Social Impact’, bringing together both private and corporate foundations. 

Dabesaki Mac-Ikemenjima, senior programme officer for West Africa at the Ford Foundation, urged Nigerian philanthropists to broaden discussions on philanthropy to include conversations about tax incentives.  

He believed in the impact of incentivising corporate social responsibility, stating that it could alleviate challenges faced by nonprofit organisations and enhance the overall philanthropic landscape. 

Mac-Ikemenjima also outlined Ford Foundation’s commitment to understanding philanthropic giving in Nigeria, aiming to break down barriers and leverage tax incentives to encourage private giving. 

Gbenga Oyebode, APF board chair, spoke of the social impact within philanthropy, and hoped the newly launched APF Philanthropy Ecosystem report would become a pivotal tool for philanthropy in Nigeria in particular. 

The findings come after Ford Foundations’ West Africa director ChiChi Aniagolu said setbacks in global funding have led to the very existence of civil society organisations coming under threat.  The Ford Foundation director added that support for human rights, HIV awareness and local education are also all under threat. 

Shafi Musaddique is a news editor at Alliance magazine.