Nigerians are among the most enthusiastic supporters of international cooperation in the world, according to a new global survey released by The Rockefeller Foundation ahead of this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The poll, which covered 36,405 adults across 34 countries, found that 71 per cent of Nigerians support countries working together to tackle shared challenges, a figure that places the country among the top five globally.
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Only Kenya (72 per cent) ranked higher in Sub-Saharan Africa, while India (81 per cent) and South Korea (73 per cent) led worldwide. South Africa followed Nigeria closely at 70 per cent.
The result comes at a time when nationalist rhetoric and policies are on the rise in many parts of the world, while development aid is being cut back.
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The researchers say Nigeria’s high ranking reflects both the country’s exposure to global shocks and a recognition that its problems—whether climate disasters, food insecurity, or economic instability cannot be solved in isolation.
“This new data confirms what we’ve always known—that Africans want a system of international cooperation that is not only effective but also equitable,” said William Asiko, the Rockefeller Foundation’s Vice President for Africa. “Build the Shared Future provides an opportunity to design solutions that prioritise local leadership and innovation.”
Similarly, Ndidi Nwuneli, president of the ONE Campaign and a member of the Foundation’s board, said the findings underline the urgency of cooperation at a time when trust in global institutions is weakening. “At a moment when the world is struggling to cooperate on shared threats, The Rockefeller Foundation can once again help bring people together to catalyse solutions that will save lives,” she said.
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The foundation warned that the backing for international cooperation is fragile. While most people say they support collective action, the data shows that only 42 per cent believe it currently benefits them personally.
Globally, 75 per cent said they would support international cooperation if it is proven to solve global problems, and 76 per cent would back it if it delivers solutions at home.
In Nigeria, this gap is familiar. Citizens often express support for regional integration and global partnerships, but scepticism grows when such arrangements are perceived to favour external partners more than Nigerians themselves.
The survey shows strong support across continents for cooperation on key issues. At least 93 per cent back cooperation on food and water security; 92 per cent on trade and economic development; 91 per cent on global health; 90 per cent on jobs; and 86 per cent on climate change.
But confidence in international organisations remains relatively low.
Only 58 per cent of respondents trust the United Nations, 60 per cent trust the World Health Organisation, and just 44 per cent expressed confidence in the International Monetary Fund.
Rockefeller’s new push
To respond to these concerns, The Rockefeller Foundation announced a new $50 million “Build the Shared Future” initiative, aimed at strengthening global collaboration and developing people-centred solutions to crises.
The initiative will also target Africa, where countries face some of the most urgent global challenges—from climate-driven flooding to public health emergencies—but also show some of the highest levels of popular support for collective action.
Nigeria’s position as Africa’s most populous country and largest economy makes its support for international cooperation particularly important. Researchers say the survey highlights a clear expectation from citizens: global partnerships must be fair, transparent, and deliver measurable benefits at home.
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As world leaders, philanthropists and private sector actors gather in New York on 22 September to discuss the findings, Nigeria’s strong showing will add weight to calls for more inclusive and equitable models of global collaboration.
The survey was conducted by Focaldata between 8 August and 10 September, with nationally representative samples in each country. The margin of error was between two and four percentage points.
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