Abuja: Nigeria is set to participate with a 120-man national delegation at the 17th World Social Forum (WSF 2026), scheduled for August 4 to August 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 in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, 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 emphasized that Nigeria’s participation would promote African-led solutions to global social challenges and strengthen the country’s contribution to regional and international dialogue. Additionally, the forum would 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. For over two decades, the forum has provided a platform for exchanging ideas and developing practical solutions to global challenges. Mohammed highlighted that 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.
Nigeria’s participation is strategic, showcasing the country’s innovation, cultural heritage, grassroots initiatives, and policy experiences while contributing to discussions on regional cooperation and sustainable development. The Nigeria Platform, coordinated by the Global Convergence for the Struggles of Land, Water and Seeds-West Africa (CLTE-WA), will organise the 5th West African Caravan, departing Abuja on July 30 and passing through Benin City and Lagos before arriving in Cotonou.
The caravan aims to 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. Plans are 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, providing opportunities to attract partnerships and practical solutions for national development. The delegation, drawn from civil society organisations and networks across the 36 states, will return with practical recommendations to address issues affecting Nigeria and the continent.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Global Tourism Ambassador, Mr. Phillip Roberts, stated that 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, noted that 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, mentioned that the forum would provide a platform to showcase Nigeria’s agricultural innovations and promote value addition, attracting partnerships capable of boosting agribusiness, youth empowerment, and investment in the sector.