Nigeria is set to participate with a 120-man national delegation at the 17th World Social Forum (WSF 2026), scheduled for August 4 to August 8 in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
The Chief Host of the WSF delegation and focal person of the Nigeria Platform for the 17th World Social Forum Coordination Team, Ambassador Zainab Mohammed, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 130 countries are expected to participate in the forum.
The event will provide Nigeria an opportunity to showcase its cultural heritage, cuisine, investment opportunities and commitment to peace and sustainable development.
Mohammed said Nigeria’s participation would promote African-led solutions to global social challenges and strengthen the country’s contribution to regional and international dialogue.
She said the forum would also provide an opportunity to campaign for Nigeria to host a future edition of the WSF.
The ambassador outlined the WSF as one of the world’s largest gatherings of civil society organisations, governments, academia, youth groups, labour unions, women, indigenous communities, and development partners.
She said the forum had, for more than two decades, provided a platform for exchanging ideas and developing practical solutions to global challenges.
According to her, the return of the forum to West Africa would enable the region to demonstrate African leadership, innovation and home-grown solutions to challenges such as peace and security, democratic governance, food security, climate change, social justice and inclusive development.