Nigeria’s Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has said the success of governance should be measured by the safety, opportunities and dignity citizens enjoy, rather than the authority exercised by government.
Mahmoud stated this while delivering a keynote address at the Resilience in Leadership and Governance Roundtable, held on the sidelines of the 2026 United Nations General Assembly. She spoke on the theme, “Catalyzing Effective Governance and Human Security.”
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media to the FCT Minister of State, Austine Elemue, Mahmoud said effective governance must deliver tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives, including access to quality healthcare and education, safe transportation, efficient public services and economic opportunities.
“Resilient leadership is more than the ability to endure a crisis; it is the capacity to learn, adjust, and continue delivering essential services without losing sight of the people affected by public decisions,” she said.
Human Security Goes Beyond Conflict
Addressing human security, the minister noted that the concept extends beyond the absence of armed conflict, as people can remain vulnerable to hunger, illness, unemployment, displacement and inadequate access to basic services.
“A person may be free from armed conflict and still remain deeply insecure because of hunger, illness, unemployment, displacement or the absence of basic services,” Mahmoud said.
The United Nations describes human security as a people-centred approach addressing threats to people’s survival, livelihoods and dignity.
Mahmoud called for sustained investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, livelihoods, food security and institutions capable of reducing citizens’ vulnerability.
Mahmoud Highlights FCT Initiatives
The minister also highlighted the FCT Administration’s initiatives under Minister Nyesom Wike, citing efforts in infrastructure renewal, transportation, healthcare, water supply, urban development, investment promotion and social interventions aimed at improving residents’ quality of life.
She urged governments to ensure the meaningful inclusion of women and young people in development and decision-making processes. She also advocated responsible digital transformation to improve public service delivery and transparency while protecting citizens’ personal data.
Minister Calls for African Ownership of Development
Speaking on Africa’s development, Mahmoud encouraged African countries to take greater ownership of their development priorities, stressing that international partnerships should strengthen local institutions rather than promote dependency.
She said global best practices could benefit African countries but must be adapted to local realities instead of being adopted without considering specific national circumstances.
“Global best practices are useful, but they must be adapted to local realities rather than copied without regard to context,” she said.
Mahmoud proposed the establishment of a continuing African governance peer-learning network to document successful reforms, strengthen institutional capacity and monitor commitments made beyond international conferences.
Public Office as a Trust
She emphasised that sustainable governance requires integrity, accountability and service-oriented leadership, describing public office as a responsibility entrusted to those who occupy it.
“Public office is a trust, and it must be exercised with integrity, humility and a commitment to service,” Mahmoud said.
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