Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), also known as Caritas Nigeria, was formally established on the 22nd of September 2010, by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), as the specialised agency that coordinates humanitarian and development interventions of the Catholic Church in Nigeria. Caritas Nigeria maintains strong partnerships with local and international state and non-state actors, key stakeholders, and funders in line with its mission of achieving wellbeing for all through participatory approaches.
Since its inception, Caritas Nigeria has progressively implemented over 75 complex humanitarian and development projects funded by bilateral and multilateral donors, across its thematic areas of focus, namely: Emergency Response & Humanitarian Services, Health, Good Governance, Agriculture & Livelihoods, Protection & Migration, Environment, and Institutional Capacity Strengthening (ICS).
Through these interventions, the organisation has reached over 15 million beneficiaries with diverse services across Nigeria. Caritas Nigeria has also built the capacity of thousands of healthcare workers, diocesan partners, community-based organisations, government agencies and other development partners across different interventions and in project management.
In the past 14 years, Caritas Nigeria has successfully partnered with over 300 faith-based and public structures across the 60 Catholic dioceses in Nigeria, implementing partners, governmental and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to increase access to services for those most in need. Caritas Nigeria interventions target the most deprived and vulnerable groups in hard-to-reach locations, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or political affiliations.
Vision
A harmonious society where everyone enjoys fullness of life
Mission
Advance the wellbeing of all through participatory measures, in line with Catholic Social Teaching
Core values
Nine core values, in line with the Catholic Social Teachings, inspire and guide the efforts of Caritas Nigeria in all her interventions in promoting social justice and humane living in society. These are:
- Sacredness and dignity of the human person
- Rights and responsibilities
- Social nature of humanity
- The common good
- Subsidiarity
- Solidarity
- Preferential option for the poor
- Stewardship
- Gender consciousness
Caritas Nigeria works across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory through its regional and state offices, while also leveraging the 60 Diocesan Caritas Offices—that is, the Justice Development & Peace Commissions (JDPCs), Catholic health facilities, and educational institutions—which partner with Caritas Nigeria. There are over 500 of such health facilities and close to 700 schools across the states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria to deliver its projects.
As a faith-based organisation with a leading role in interfaith dialogues, Caritas Nigeria facilitates peaceful co-existence and social cohesion. Our interventions promote a transparent, just, and accountable society with increased citizens’ participation and integral human development to ensure that everyone enjoys fullness of life.
