Benin City: Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) has announced that the 32nd Annual LAPO Development Forum will hold on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at the Abuja Continental Hotels, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The Forum, which has over the years become a distinguished platform for dialogue on national development, will this year examine the theme: Citizen Engagement and Responsive Governance for National Development.
The Forum is expected to attract policymakers, academics, civil society leaders, and development experts who will deliberate on the role of inclusive citizen participation in strengthening governance, building public trust, and accelerating Nigeria’s progress towards sustainable development.
The event will be chaired by Senator Ita Solomon Enang, OFR, former Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Niger Delta Affairs, while the Special Guest of Honour will be Dr. Ike Neliaku, fnipr, President and Chairman of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Distinguished keynote speakers include Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development and former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, and Dame (Dr.) Princess Joy Nky Okoro, Governor of Rotary International District 9127 and retired Director at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The Forum will be hosted by Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, FCIB, Founder of LAPO, with Dr. Oyefemi Margaret Obazee, Chair of the LAPO Board of Directors, serving as Chief Host.
According to James-Wisdom Abhulimen, Head of Corporate Communications at LAPO, the Forum will once again provide a credible, non-partisan platform for robust dialogue on governance and development. He explained that citizen engagement is central to responsive governance and sustainable growth, noting that “by giving citizens a voice in decision-making, trust in government is strengthened, conflicts are reduced, and consensus is built for lasting progress.”
Since its inauguration in 1994, the LAPO Development Forum has contributed significantly to national conversations on poverty reduction, economic growth, social justice, and transparent governance. The 2025 edition will particularly highlight how citizen involvement can enhance public policy, foster accountability, and drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through agriculture, small and medium enterprises, innovation, trade, and public-private partnerships.
The event will commence at 10:00 AM and is expected to conclude with a communiqué that reflects the outcomes of the discussions and offers actionable recommendations to government and other stakeholders for more inclusive governance and national development.
