1992
Founded
In 1992, fueled by a vision of social justice and grassroots empowerment, social activist Ngozi Iwere founded the Community Life Project (CLP) in Isolo, Lagos. What began as a response to the HIV/AIDS crisis soon blossomed into a transformative force for holistic community development.
CLP’s journey has been defined by its unwavering commitment to placing people at the centre of change. Guided by the belief that every individual has the power to shape their destiny, CLP has addressed systemic inequalities, enabled inclusive governance, and fostered sustainable development in some of Nigeria’s most marginalised communities.
In its early years, CLP focused on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, tackling the stigma surrounding the disease, and promoting preventive practices. Collaborating with grassroots artisan groups like the National Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), CLP leveraged existing community networks to spread life-saving information. This approach demonstrated the power of community-driven interventions and set the stage for CLP’s philosophy: development should be led by the people it serves.
“CLP is people-focused instead of issues focused; over the years, CLP has crafted programmes that empower individuals and communities to take charge of their futures.” – Ngozi Iwere
Over the decades, CLP expanded its scope to address various challenges affecting marginalised communities, including governance, digital inclusion, health education, and economic empowerment. Guided by the principles of inclusivity, respect, and community ownership, CLP crafted programmes that empowered individuals and communities to take charge of their futures.
1992
Founded
1994 - Started a full blown youth programme
1995 (May)
Officially registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
1997
Scaled the CLP Model to other two communities - Oshodi and Munshin, Lagos, Nigeria.
2004 - Replicated and Scaled the model in 6 states across the six geopolitical zones of the country
2007
Initiated the National Conference on Community Development (NCCD) to reposition community development in Nigeria
2010 / 2011
2012- Date
Through the ReclaimNaija platform, we launched the post-election programme on social accountability, empowering marginalised grassroots communities to participate actively in budget decision-making, monitoring and reporting on projects at the Local government level, and holistic community development.
Addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic through culturally resonant health education and collaborations with faith-based organisations and artisan groups in communities.
Based on the needs and demands of CLP grassroots partners, CLP did extensive work on life skills leadership, sexual and reproductive health education and community development.
Embracing technology through the ReclaimNaija platform to monitor elections and report malpractice, empowering citizens to safeguard democracy. This period also saw extensive work on participatory governance, Civic and voters education, and advocacy for transparency in public spending
CLP began intensive work on the prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by tackling the root causes of GBV (Cultural norms, beliefs, and practices).
With over three decades of impact, CLP continues to empower marginalised groups, bridging gaps in leadership and promoting interconnected, resilient communities.
Looking ahead, CLP remains committed to pioneering community-driven and people-centred developments targeting vulnerable grassroots populations. By scaling successful intervention models and embracing innovative technologies, CLP aims to ensure that every community in Nigeria has the tools to drive its growth.