Nigeria is in the second phase of a political transition that started in May 1999. the round of elections held in 2003/4 was regarded in many circles as a hallmark for democracy in Nigeria, given the country's historical difficulties with civilian-to-civilian transition. The elections produced accepted winners and a new government was installed with President Olusegun Obasanjo re-elected for another four-yeah term. However, Nigeria's democratic institutions are still very weak and vulnerable to destabilizing forces. Notably, lack of transparency and accountability in government processes and procedures has made the delivery of social services impossible. Corruption is endemic at all levels of government and deeply entrenched in every aspect of public life.

 Pact Nigeria office opened in May 2005 with the signing of a 5 year cooperative agreement with USAID to manage the Advocacy, Awareness, and Civic Empowerment (ADVANCE) project.  

 The ADVANCE program goal is to increase the capacity implementation of program components that address the three outcomes:

  

1)      Strengthened Civil Society Organizations (CSO)/GON partnership to fight corruption.

 

2)      Strengthened Civil Society Organizations that focus on election centered issues

 

 3)      Increase CSO capacity for effective budget Tracking/monitoring

 

4)      Increase CSO capacity for effective anti-trafficking campaign