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By Gabriel Ameh
At the premiere of the Teach the Child documentary in Abuja, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Connected Development (CODE), Hyeladzira Mshelia James emphasized the critical role of citizen awareness and education in strengthening democracy and accountability in Nigeria.
James praised the efforts of Teach the Child, noting that empowering young Nigerians with knowledge, skills, and access to information is essential for national development. She stressed that many citizens remain unaware of their rights, which limits their ability to demand accountability from government institutions.
According to her, lack of awareness weakens democratic participation, as citizens cannot effectively question governance processes or demand proper utilization of public resources.
Highlighting CODE’s work across Nigeria and parts of Africa, James explained that the organization operates in all 36 states and 11 African countries, focusing on promoting transparency and accountability through citizen engagement.
She referenced the organization’s flagship initiative, Follow the Money, which tracks government spending to ensure that public funds are properly utilized. Through this initiative, CODE works with communities to monitor projects, engage in policy discussions, and hold authorities accountable.
James also noted the importance of education as a driver of peace and development, stating that “education breeds hope and hope breeds peace.” She explained that when citizens are educated but lack opportunities, it can lead to societal instability.
She further revealed CODE’s collaboration with the Malala Fund to advance gender equality in education, as well as efforts to develop frameworks that enable communities to actively participate in education monitoring and planning.
According to her, citizen-led structures such as school monitoring teams are key to ensuring sustainability and ownership of development initiatives.
James concluded by reaffirming CODE’s commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and inclusive education systems that empower citizens to engage effectively with government
