Advocacy is most powerful when it is backed by evidence. For too long, the suffering of communities in Nigeria — from insecurity in the Middle Belt to systemic injustices — has gone under-researched and under-reported in ways that limit policy impact. Policymakers, institutions, and international partners often rely on data and reports to shape their decisions. Without credible, timely research, the voices of vulnerable communities risk being drowned out.

That’s why we are establishing the PSJ UK Policy & Advocacy Research Hub — a dedicated initiative producing white papers, policy briefs, and reports on governance, justice, and peace.

What Will the Research Hub Do?

The Research Hub will serve as the backbone of our advocacy work, helping us to:

• Generate evidence-based insights on Nigeria’s governance and security challenges.

• Produce 3–5 annual policy briefs and reports that can be shared with UK policymakers, international institutions, and partner NGOs.

• Provide PSJ UK with stronger credibility in high-level policy discussions, ensuring that the stories of affected communities are not ignored.

• Attract institutional partners who want to see robust research drive long-term impact.

Why Now?

The urgency of Nigeria’s security and governance crisis is undeniable. One of our joint reports with the IA Foundation highlighted the scale of displacement and violence, sparking new conversations about policy responses. But that was just the beginning.

To build on this momentum, we need a consistent, structured research platform that can produce reliable evidence year after year. This is what the Policy & Advocacy Research Hub will deliver.

How Will It Work?

• Research Lead: We will hire a part-time research coordinator to manage projects, supervise collaborations, and ensure timely delivery of outputs.

• University Partnerships: Working with UK-based and Nigerian universities, we will engage researchers and students in co-developing studies.

• Publications & Events: We will publish key reports and host briefing events with MPs, policymakers, and civil society partners to present findings.

• Advocacy Integration: All outputs will feed directly into PSJ UK’s advocacy campaigns, making our interventions sharper and more persuasive.

The Investment Needed

We estimate that the Hub will require £12,000–£20,000 annually to cover:

• Research commissioning and fieldwork costs

• Report production and publication

• Hosting policy roundtables and launch events

• Research lead and coordination expenses

This modest investment could transform PSJ UK’s ability to influence policy at the highest levels — amplifying our work far beyond what is currently possible.

How You Can Help

Your donation, no matter the size, will help us sustain the Research Hub and amplify the voices of the vulnerable:

• £100 contributes to research coordination and drafting.

• £500 supports field research and data collection.

• £1,000 funds a published policy brief that can reach decision-makers.

• £5,000+ could underwrite a full white paper and its public launch.

Together, we can transform advocacy from a reactive to a proactive, strategic, and evidence-based approach.