Caritas Nigeria

Yesterday, December 2, 2025, the Board of Caritas Nigeria chaired by Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, held its last meeting for the year. Following its fruitful deliberations, the Board, joined by our Senior Management Team, marked the season with a brief convivial session that reflected the unity, joy, and gratitude that continue to drive our service to humanity. #Endofyear #Boardmeeting #Strategicdirection #Strategicgathering #Organizationalgoals

In continuation of activities to mark the ongoing 16 Days of Activism, the Caritas Nigeria Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) team in Gembu, Taraba State, recently held a group therapy session for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). The team sensitized the 33 women in attendance on digital violence against women and its psychological effects. The session offered supportive advice, validated emotions, encouraged them to seek support and report incidents, while emphasizing that healing is a gradual process. After the session, survivors shared their experiences, which helped them process emotions, connect with others who had similar experiences, and support each other. The women were then sensitized on digital violence, including cyber harassment, hate speech, image-based abuse, and sextortion. The severe impacts, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and withdrawal from online spaces, were equally highlighted. Additionally, ouus r team encouraged them to remain vigilant against online predators and to engage confidently yet with caution. #Enddigitalviolence #Orangetheworld #16daysofactivism #Safeonlinespaces #16days #Endgbv #SDGs

On this World AIDS Day, Caritas Nigeria joins the global community in championing the right of everyone to access quality health care, especially HIV testing and treatment services. We celebrate the resilience of healthcare workers and the courage every individual who steps forward to.know their status. The path to ending AIDS is paved with testing, accurate diagnosis, and prompt treatment and care. Let us unite to overcome disruptions and transform the AIDS response. #SDGs #WAD #EndAIDS2030 #WorldAIDSDay

In the next phase of its Project Management for Development Professionals (PMDPro) training, Caritas Nigeria offers a discounted fee of NGN100,000 (One hundred thousand naira) to early candidates. Enrol between and 12th December, 2025, enjoy this benefit and more. Date: 8th - 12th December, 2025 Venue: Online Our certified project managers are fully ready and look forward to guiding you through the one-week course. As a globally accredited training organization, Caritas Nigeria will issue certificates to candidates who complete and pass the qualifying PMD Pro examination. This remarkable opportunity grants you access to a global network of over 30,000 certified PMD Pro professionals across 176 countries. Please see the flyer for more details. #PMDPro #Projectmanagement #Capacitystrengthening #Professionalcertification #Developmentprofessionals

Last Friday, Caritas Nigeria and @UNHCR Nigeria joined the refugee community to celebrate the 2025 Refugee Open Day in Takum, Taraba State. The event was designed to celebrate the resilience of refugees and strengthen relationships with host communities, as well as create more channels to sustain their livelihood efforts. In attendance were refugees from Takum, Sardauna, and Kurmi Local Government Areas, local leaders, religious leaders, representatives from government agencies, development partners, and community-based organizations. The event featured cultural activities, including a dance presentation by the Chamba ethnic group, and an exhibition where refugees showcased and sold their goods, with participants encouraged to support their businesses. The gathering was also leveraged to raise awareness about gender-based violence (GBV), particularly the need for vigilance against digital violence affecting young girls. Dignitaries expressed joy at seeing refugees flourish, urged them to seize opportunities, and emphasized the importance of being law-abiding. The day concluded with an overview of refugee experiences in Nigeria, presented by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), highlighting the efforts of partners and the importance of sustaining activities for long-term well-being. Refugee leaders expressed gratitude for the support received and pledged continued cooperation with communities and organizations. #SDGs #Partnerships #Refugeeresponse #Refugeeprotection

On 26 November, 2025, the Caritas Nigeria Protection Project team in Benue State, hosted a high-level protection engagement in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state. The dignitaries, including the UNHCR Nigeria Deputy Country Representative (Protection), Bernadette Mukakale Mutesi, the UNHCR Nigeria Head of Sub Office (HoSO) Ogoja, Irene Omondi, the Director of Women at the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andor, and the Coordinator of the Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Mrs Linda Ene, visited the community to advance key protection interventions. The visit featured peacebuilding activities and focused group discussions (FGDs) with men and women, centring on protection risks, existing community capacities, and preferred solutions to strengthen safety and resilience. Community members contributed meaningfully, reflecting their commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and safeguarding vulnerable groups. A major highlight of the day was the official launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). To reinforce the message of solidarity, the youths of Yelwata organized a novelty football match tagged “Yelwata He-for-She Match”, symbolizing the critical role men and boys play in ending GBV. In her closing remarks, the UNHCR Nigeria Deputy Country Representative (Protection) commended the community for their resilience amid displacement. She urged them to remain steadfast, reject all forms of online and offline violence, and actively promote the inclusion of women in decision-making processes that advance peace and sustainable development in the community. #SDGs #16days #Stopgbv #Protection #Refugeeresponse #16daysofactivism

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Church and Society Department of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria commenced today, 26 November, under the theme “Harbingers of Hope: Mainstreaming Catholic Social Teaching (CST) for Development in Nigeria.” The event opened with a Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese and Board Chairman of the Department, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, and concelebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Minna and Bishop Chair of the Family and Human Life Unit, Most Rev. Luka Sylvester Gopep. In his homily, Archbishop Martins reflected on the nation’s economic hardship, insecurity, and declining social values, urging the participants to remain steadfast in promoting justice and offering hope rooted in CST. In his welcome address, Fr. Michael Banjo, CSN Secretary General, commended the directors for implementing the CST in their respective dioceses. He reaffirmed the Secretariat’s support for coordinated social action across the Church’s structures. Delivering his opening remark, the Director of the Department and Caritas Nigeria Executive Secretary/CEO, Peter Audu highlighted the progress made across the department’s five units. He emphasized the need for deeper unity, inter-unit collaboration, and courageous witness as the Church continues to uphold human dignity and contribute meaningfully to national transformation. Addresses by Archbishop Martins and Bishop Gopep underscored the urgent need for the Church to strengthen its prophetic voice in the face of national challenges. Goodwill messages, delivered by partner organizations, including Catholic Relief Services and Yiaga Africa, reflected strategic collaboration with the Church in Nigeria for the common good. Additionally, the keynote address delivered by Fr. Evaristus Bassey, pioneer Executive Secretary/CEO of Caritas Nigeria and representative of the Auxiliary Bishop of Calabar, called for a renewed commitment to hope-driven development. Additionally, the meeting featured presentations by Rev. Fr. Kekong Bisong on “Vulnerability with Hope” and Ms Cynthia Mbamalu on “Charting a New Socio-Political Course: 2027 Elections as a Watershed for Development in Nigeria.” The interactive sessions that followed allowed participants to share insights, ask questions, and contribute meaningfully to the discussions ahead of the sessions scheduled for the coming days. #Catholicsocialteaching #Harbingersofhope #Churchandsociety #Socialjustice #Faithinaction

In observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, yesterday, the Caritas Nigeria team implementing the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency-funded Protection project in Benue State joined the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare and civil society organizations (CSO) for a sensitisation road walk through the town. The event was organized in line with this year’s theme to amplify calls for safer online spaces and collective action to protect women and girls from digital harm. Declaring the event open, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon. Mrs Theresa Odachi Ikwue, emphasized the urgent need to address the rising cases of digital violence targeting women and girls, noting that “online spaces must be safe for every woman and girl to express herself without fear, intimidation, or abuse.” She urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, reporting mechanisms, and supporting systems for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). CSOs in attendance delivered goodwill messages that reaffirmed their commitment to preventing and responding to all forms of GBV. They highlighted the growing prevalence of cyberbullying, online stalking, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and other forms of digital abuse, stressing the need for continuous advocacy and community sensitization. #16daysofactivismagainstgbv #16daysofactivism #Orangetheworld #IDEVAW #EndGBV #16days #SDGs

Caritas Nigeria field office in Taraba State, in collaboration with partner organizations and refugee-led groups, launched the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence today with a road walk within Takum town. The event aimed to raise awareness among both refugee and host communities about ending digital violence against women and girls, in alignment with this year’s theme. It highlighted various forms of digital violence and their prevalence on social media and online platforms. Participants included representatives from the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Holy Family Parish Takum, host community focal persons, refugee leaders, and refugee-led organizations. The Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigeria Immigration Service Service also joined the campaign, coordinating movement and ensuring the safety of partners and the public throughout the walk. #UniteAgainstViolence #OrangeTheWorld #16daysofactivism #IDEVAW #Endgbv #16days #SDGs

On this International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we are reminded that every woman and girl deserves to live free from fear, harm, and discrimination. With our lives becoming increasingly online, women and girls around the world face harassment and other forms of digital abuse that impact their mental health, personal safety, and livelihoods. Joining the world to commemorate this year's event under the theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” Caritas Nigeria affirms its commitment to building a world that empowers, not endangers, women and girls. #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #16DaysOfActivism #Orangetheworld #Safespacesonline #StopGBV #IDEVAW #16days #SDGs