New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) participated in the 2026 Annual Plenary of the Voluntary Principles Initiative (VPI), held from 24–26 March 2026 at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, United Kingdom. The Plenary formally opened with remarks from the UK Government, represented by Alice Wyss, Senior Human Rights Adviser in the Multilateral and Human Rights Directorate, who emphasised that the Voluntary Principles have become a proven framework for managing security and human rights in business operations globally.
NNF is a member of the NGO Pillar of the Voluntary Principles Initiative and serves on the Steering Committee/Board of Trustees. The Foundation participated in all activities over the three days and was represented by Dr Fred Nwogu. This year’s Plenary brought together over 150 participants across the three pillars, government, companies, and NGOs, as well as other invited stakeholders. The VPI is a global multistakeholder initiative.
The 2026 Plenary marked a clear transition point in the Initiative’s evolution. Discussions reflected both a consolidation of its original identity and framework and a shift towards a more operational, outcome-oriented governance mechanism. This transition is taking place within a rapidly changing global context characterised by increasing insecurity, shrinking civic space, and growing complexity in security and human rights dynamics.
The various pillars met, including the NGO Pillar, chaired by James McQuilken of Pact. The session brought together fifteen in-person participants and virtual participants. The Pillar expressed concern over the increasingly constrained operating environment for civil society. During a formal group work session, participants highlighted the combined effects of geopolitical tensions and shrinking civic space, noting that these trends directly impact NGOs’ ability to operate, engage with extractive communities, and implement the Voluntary Principles effectively. A new member, Observatoire Gouvernance et Paix (OGP), also joined the Pillar.
Other key activities during the Plenary included a Board meeting, the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Year 2025 Review, In-Country Working Group (ICWG) sessions, a Public Security Workshop, a Human Rights Defenders session, VPI Implementation Review sessions led by both company and NGO Pillar members, and a Strategy Panel moderated by Anita Ramasastry, former Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Special Advisor to the VPI Secretariat.
The Nigerian ICWG was represented by all three pillars: Government (National Human Rights Commission), Company (Chevron Nigeria Limited, TotalEnergies), and NGO (New Nigeria Foundation, LiteAfrica, PRAWA, and AFRILAW).
Concluding sessions included a strategic session led by DCAF, which focused on the future direction of the VPI. The Plenary also marked the transition of the Government Pillar Chair from the UK Government to the Canadian Government, as well as a farewell to Mora Johnson in recognition of her outstanding contributions as Head of the Secretariat for over seven years.
The 2026 Plenary closed with hope for greater years ahead.
