The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, said the effectiveness of governance should be measured by the safety, opportunities, and dignity citizens enjoy.
Mahmoud made this point while delivering a keynote address at the Resilience in Leadership and Governance Roundtable, held on the sidelines of the 2026 United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking on the theme, ‘Catalysing Effective Governance and Human Security,’ the minister said governance must translate into tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
She identified access to quality healthcare and education, safe transport, efficient public services, economic opportunities, and the meaningful participation of women and young people as key indicators of effective governance.
Mahmoud said resilient leadership goes beyond surviving crises, stressing that leaders must learn from challenges, adapt, and continue to provide essential services to the people.
‘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.
On human security, the minister said the concept goes beyond protection from armed conflict, noting that hunger, illness, unemployment, displacement, and a lack of basic services can also expose citizens to insecurity.
‘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,’ she said.
She therefore called for sustained investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, livelihoods, and food security, as well as strengthening institutions capable of reducing citizens’ vulnerabilities.
Mahmoud also highlighted ongoing initiatives in the Federal Capital Territory, saying the administration under FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was pursuing infrastructure renewal, improved transport, healthcare, water supply, urban development, investment promotion, and social interventions.
She said the initiatives aimed to improve residents’ quality of life and strengthen the capital’s capacity to respond to emerging challenges.
The minister stressed the need for governments to deliberately create space for women and young people in development and decision-making processes.
She also advocated responsible digital transformation, saying technology should improve public service delivery and transparency while safeguarding citizens’ data.
Turning to Africa’s development challenges, the minister urged African countries to take greater ownership of their development priorities.
She said international partnerships should strengthen African institutions rather than create dependency.
According to her, although global experiences and best practices could offer useful lessons, they should be adapted to local realities rather than copied wholesale.
‘Global best practices are useful, but they must be adapted to local realities rather than copied without regard to context,’ she said.
Mahmoud proposed establishing a continuing African governance peer-learning network to document successful reforms, strengthen institutional capacity and track commitments made beyond international conferences.
She said sustainable governance required leadership anchored in integrity, accountability and service, stressing that public office carries significant responsibilities.
‘Public office is a trust, and it must be exercised with integrity, humility and a commitment to service,’ she said.