The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization established in 2004, under the Companies and Allied Matters Decree 1 of 1990 of the Republic of Nigeria. SERAP aims to promote transparency and accountability in the public and private sectors through human rights.

In a country where systemic corruption and the resulting poverty, inequality and discrimination deprive many Nigerians of dignity and freedom to explore ways towards development and prosperity, we work to hold government and public officials at the local, state and federal levels accountable for acts of corruption which are conducive to violations of socio-economic rights of citizens. SERAP also aims to ensure Nigeria’s full compliance with the human rights and anti-corruption treaties to which it has voluntarily subscribed.

SERAP’s work is divided into three program areas: the Research & Publications program; the Monitoring & Advocacy program; and the Litigation & Legal Services program.

SERAP’s new office is: 4 AKINTOYE SHOGUNLE STREET, OFF JOHN OLUGBO STREET, OFF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY, P.O. Box 14037 IKEJA, LAGOS NIGERIA.

SERAP’s Advisory Boards: National Advisory Board members are: Mr. Femi Falana, President West African Bar Association; Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN; Professor Oluwole Smith, Dean Faculty of Law Lagos State University; and Mrs. Ayo Atsenuwa, Professor of Law University of Lagos. International Advisory Board members are: Professor Dinah Shelton, George Washington University, USA; Professor Donald Kommers University of Notre Dame, USA; Professor Vincent Nmehielle, Wits University South Africa; and Hon. Sanji Mmasenono MONAGENG, Judge, International Criminal Court, The Hague.

In 2008, SERAP was nominated by the DFID for the UN Civil Society Award, coordinated by the UNODC in Abuja. SERAP has observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia, and works closely with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). SERAP is also a member of the UN Global Compact, and works closely with the Global Compact office in New York.

SERAP is also a member of the Movement against Corruption (MAC), a coalition of NGOs supported by the DFID; and works closely with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the West African Bar Association (WABA), Transparency International in Nigeria and Amnesty International in London.

SERAP’s work is supported by agencies and foundations, including Macarthur Foundation, USA, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USA, Royal Netherlands Embassy, Abuja, and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).