Social Academy Forum 2025

Workers' rights and their socioeconomic well-being are essential, whether within trade unions or civil service organizations. The saying, “United we stand, stronger; divided we fall,” captures the essence of Nigerian social forums, underscoring the disunity and lack of collaboration among various groups.

This division has hindered meaningful social change, obstructing progress and empowerment for everyone. To promote solidarity and enhance social democracy, the Social Academy—an initiative of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, supported by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung—works to facilitate and restore relationships between trade unions and civil society organizations, enabling collective action for transformative democracy.

The Social Academy program hosted a vibrant one-day summit where leaders from civil society and various labor organizations gathered to explore innovative approaches to foster collaboration and strengthen positive development in Nigeria.

The inaugural session of the Social Academy program took place in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, on March 28, 2025. This event promoted collaboration and dialogue among influential voices dedicated to creating a brighter future. During the training, several key topics were addressed, including social and economic changes in the southeast, building coalitions for socioeconomic development—using the German model as a reference—and outlining a roadmap for improved collaboration between labor unions and civil society organizations in the southeastIn conclusion, the Social Academy serves as a quarterly summit designed for veterans of social movements to connect and engage with activists, thereby strengthening positive development in the region.