Democratic governance is characterized by the presence of transparency and accountability, human rights, the rule of law, civic participation and inclusiveness. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) defines good governance as "...that which ensures that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision-making over the allocation of development resources." Considering Nigeria's fragile democracy and its presence, as number 14 of 60, on Foreign Policy Magazine's 2011 Failed States Index, we believe that Governance and Human Right is a priority area in achieving peace and development in the Niger Delta and beyond. Thus, LITE-Africa's programmmes on Governance and Human Rights include:

1. Conflict Resolution, Reconciliation and Peace Building
2. Human Rights and Citizenship
3. Transparency and Accountability in Natural Resources Management
4. Human Rights & Business unit (HRBU)
5. Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)
6. CSO Coalition on Business and Human Rights
7. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Following are some examples of LITE-Africa's projects focusing on Governance and Human Rights:

CURRENT

• EU Inside Project
  The European Union has awarded NIDPRODEV a grant to conduct Citizen Report Card surveys in 120 Niger Delta communities in the three southern geopolitical zones, beginning July 2010.

• ON Livelihoods and Governance (ONLAG)
  The ONLAG project is intended to strengthen current livelihoods and identify alternative means of sustainable livelihoods. Included in the project are efforts to strengthen and facilitate the ability of local business to access micro-credit (soft loans) through collaboration with micro-finance banks.

• Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMOU) Deployment
  The overall objective of the GMOU process is to build the capacity of the local communities to negotiate with the multinational oil companies for development funding, and then manage the process of choosing and implementing the development projects in their communities.

• Strengthening Stakeholder Capacity for Peace through Dialogue on Oil Revenue Transparency in the GMoU Communities of Niger Delta
  This project is aimed at creating a demand-driven accountability mechanism, allowing indigenes of the Niger Delta to monitor and track the process of government expenditures for development. This project will also engender increased women involvement and participation in decision making in the selected communities.

• Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in the Niger Delta (STAND)
  The STAND project is an initiative of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), with the objective to engender responsive governance, transparency and accountability from the grassroots.

PAST

• Democracy On Human Rights Program
  Democracy on Human Rights Project (DHRP) was a project funded by the American embassy in 2006 in preparation for the 2007 national, state and local elections. The project involved mainstreaming women leadership into the political process in the Niger Delta states of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Rivers.

• Training Workshop for Voter and Civic Education
  The Training Workshop for Voting and Civic Education was organised by NIDPRODEV in January 2007, and was aimed at enlightening voters on their rights.