Relationships between FBOs, NGOs and  FBOs and NGOs engaged in development have the state many similar characteristics but differ in some The relationships between FBOs, between FBOs and important ways, with respect to their mission, NGOs, and between both and government vary. Most of funding sources, organizational characteristics and the FBOs studied are members of umbrella modes of operating. However, these characteristics organizations, but not all of them collaborate with other and the ways in which faith is manifest in their FBOs, especially across faith/denominational activities also depend on the context in which they Religions and Development Research Programme boundaries. NGOs and FBOs may collaborate, for operate. Decisions by donors and policy makers example CSADI works with two Muslim hospitals about whether and how to engage with FBOs must (including the Al-Noury Hospital) to deliver treatment be made on a case-by-case basis, based on an Are FBOs distinctive? Religious and secular NGOs’ and care for PLWAs in Kano and its environs. understanding of individual organizations and their However, FBOs only cooperate with organizations that context. approaches to HIV/AIDS-related work in Nigeria share their values, restricting their choice of partners.  NGOs and FBOs both have strengths. For example, In some instances religious and secular organizations the wide reach, legitimacy and moral authority of It is often claimed that faith-based organizations compete with government for scarce resources; in FBOs can make them appropriate partners for (FBOs) have distinctive characteristics and Box 1: FBOs’ supposed government and NGOs. This is especially so in others they collaborate. For example, SWAAN works approaches that give them advantages over non- advantages with the local government in Nassarawa and with other highly religious areas, where traditional leaders are religious NGOs when engaged in development NGOs and FBOs. also religious leaders, and when dealing with activities. An apparent increase in religiosity in  They draw on spiritual and moral values religiously sensitive issues. NGOs may have many countries, renewed international interest in  They can mobilize religious believers Both Christian FBOs and NGOs find it difficult to work greater expertise and access to international religious organizations and donors’ ongoing search estranged by secular development discourse in largely Muslim Kano State. POD-ECWA responds by funding, but can be more successful in such for more effective ways of delivering development  They have a strong organizational structure downplaying its religious identity and concentrating its contexts by working with FBOs and religious programmes mean that it is important to assess that extends to rural areas and are trusted activities in villages with mainly Christian populations leaders. claims about FBOs’ distinctiveness and supposed  They are close to the poor and responsive to (the result of earlier conversion efforts). It does not work advantages (see Box 1). This study makes a start their needs with Muslim organizations or NGOs, which in Kano  Additional research is needed to develop a thorough by examining two Muslim, two Christian and three  They are well-networked nationally, including State are almost all run by Muslims. NGOs working in comparative understanding of FBOs from different secular indigenous NGOs active in HIV/AIDS-related in government, and are much respected this context find that traditional religious leaders (and religious and denominational traditions; whether and activities in Kano and Lagos States in Nigeria.  They have good international links Islamic FBOs) can provide them with legitimacy and how faith is manifest in both FBOs and NGOs; the  They are less dependent on donor funding access to local communities. Thus the context in nature and outcomes of partnerships between The research examined whether and how FBOs’ than NGOs which an organization works matters and this may FBOs and other organizations; and the outcomes, approaches to development activities are  They have capacity and expertise in key affect its performance more than any religious/secular effectiveness and impact of FBO and NGO distinctive, by comparing them with NGOs development areas. difference. programmes. Involving the organizations concerned engaged in similar activities in the same local can provide them with improved evidence on the contexts. It aimed to Conclusions and implications for outcomes of their activities and encourage them to  understand the history of FBO and NGO The study focused on act on the findings. operations in selected States and Local  Kano and Lagos States, the former a largely Muslim policy and practice Government Areas (LGAs), and to examine state with an Islamic government that has recently their relationships with each other and adopted Shari’a law and the latter a religiously  A standardized preference for NGOs, based on their government assumed advantages over governments, has led to mixed state in the south  compare the development aims, values, the emergence of many less than ideal types of  programmes related to HIV/AIDS, because (a) there activities and organizational characteristics of NGOs, donor dependence and a lack of local has been much international funding for such FBOs and NGOs accountability. Religious organizations should be activities and (b) it is likely that religious and  assess the perceived performance, outcomes aware of this history in their quest for additional secular organizations adopt different approaches. and effects of FBO and NGO activities. funding.  well-established and reputable organizations, so that comparisons would not be undermined by Focus group discussion about POD-ECWA’s work ineffective performance or allegations of malpractice (photo by Comfort Davis) and corruption.

Policy Brief 13 - 2011

Case studies of FBOs and NGOs engaged in HIV/AIDS-related activities in Nigeria indicate that

 Donors’ and policy makers’ decisions about whether and how to engage with FBOs This document is an Further information output from a project must be made on a case-by-case basis, based on an understanding of individual funded by UK Aid from Davis, C., A. Jegede, R. Leurs, A. Sunmola and U. Ukiwo (2010) Are Faith-Based Organizations organizations and their context – neither a general preference for FBOs nor a standard the UK Department for Distinctive? A Comparative Study of Selected Religious and Secular Non-Governmental approach is appropriate, any more than it is for NGOs. International Organizations in Nigeria, Birmingham: RaD WP 56. Development (DFID) http://www.religionsanddevelopment.org/index.php?section=47  NGOs and FBOs are not necessarily alternative partners for development activities: for the benefit of Odumosu, O., R. Olaniyi and S. Alonge (2009) Mapping the Activities of Faith-based Organizations in joint working may be particularly appropriate in certain religiously sensitive contexts. developing countries. Development in Nigeria. Birmingham: RaD WP 38. The views expressed NACA and UNAIDS (2010) UNGASS Country Progress Report (January 2008 - December 2009).  Additional research is needed to thoroughly understand the role played by FBOs and are not necessarily National Agency for the Control of AIDS and UNAIDS. NGOs in development and to assess the effectiveness of their programmes. those of DFID. http://data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2010/nigeria_2010_country_progress_report_en.pdf The study concludes that the FBOs and NGOs studied condom use by the unmarried varies, with religious have many similar characteristics, but also that FBOs Box 2: The case study organizations stressing abstinence and faithfulness. are distinctive in several ways and are perceived to Some foreign funders (especially those with have a number of advantages over secular NGOs. organizations religious affiliations) are willing to accept religious Kano State objections to condom use, enabling some FBOs Background and methodology  Nassarawa and Tudun Wada LGAs (both Christian and Muslim) to access international Islam has been established in Nigeria for centuries and NGO: Society for Women and AIDS in Africa funding. (SWAAN) Christianity since colonial times. Both play important  NGOs have a predominantly material focus, roles in health, education and welfare provision. The FBO: People Oriented Development of the emphasizing improved physical wellbeing (through numbers and scope of NGOs have expanded more Evangelical Church of West Africa (POD-ECWA) providing treatment and livelihood support), while (Christian) recently, especially in response to poor state service FBOs combine material and spiritual aims. This Focus group discussion about POD-ECWA’s work  Tarauni LGA delivery, the effects of structural adjustment policies, influences the content and delivery of their (photo by Comfort Davis) and external funders’ preference for funding NGOs. NGO: Community Support and Development programmes. Most beneficiaries seem to prefer Initiatives (CSADI) These trends have encouraged States and other levels FBOs’ combined material and spiritual focus, which Perceptions of the outcomes and impact of FBO: Al-Noury Specialist Hospital (Muslim) of government to seek partnerships with non-state is seen as being more holistic. HIV/AIDS programmes organizations. Lagos State: Ikorodu LGA NGO: Humanity Family Foundation for Peace  All the FBOs studied recruit staff from within their Organizations perceived as committed and reputable were chosen for this study. Unsurprisingly, their leaders, The first case of AIDS in Nigeria was reported in 1987. and Development (HUFFPED) own faith tradition, at least for senior positions. staff, local stakeholders and beneficiaries had positive From 1.8 per cent of adults in 1991, HIV/AIDS FBO: Nasiru-Ilahi Fati Society of Nigeria Recruitment policy for junior staff and volunteers perceptions of their performance, with few differences prevalence had probably increased to 5.8 per cent in (NASFAT) (Muslim) varies: some FBOs are less restrictive, to facilitate between FBOs and NGOs. However: 2001 (and was estimated at 3.6 per cent in 2007). FBO: Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN) working in contexts with a religious composition Especially after 2000, the government sought to curb (Christian) different from their own faith affiliation. NGOs have  while some beneficiaries feel that NGO advocacy of the increase and to address the needs of people living FBO: Redeem AIDS Programme Action non-discriminatory recruitment policies, although condom use is likely to be more effective, others with AIDS (PLWHAs) (nearly 3 million in 2009, and over Committee (RAPAC) of the Redeemed Christian they may seek to ensure representation from both prefer FBOs’ focus on abstinence and their use of 2 million AIDS orphans) Church of God (RCCG) (Christian) religions amongst their staff and board members. moral and religious language .   All the organizations have a top-down management the perceived quality of services matters most, Its efforts have raised sensitive issues, as has the style, in which founders, board members and senior judged in terms of the services provided, local proliferation of NGOs attempting to implement HIV/ Main findings staff take all the major decisions. This is stronger in presence and the frequency of contacts with local AIDS-related programmes, especially in largely Muslim Comparing FBOs and NGOs the FBOs, where the authority of senior individuals communities. areas, where they are perceived as donor driven and The study did not find significant differences in the is reinforced by their perceived status as leaders in  few, if any, NGOs and FBOs do systematic lacking in credibility. Organizations engaged in development-related aims, values, activities and wider religious bodies. assessments of the outcomes and impact of their awareness raising, counselling and testing, care and management style of FBOs and NGOs. activities, although those that receive official donor treatment, and the provision of support for PLWHAs  FBOs display religious symbols through the dress funds have to monitor progress against objectives. and their families were selected for study (see Box 2).  The organizations studied largely share a of their staff, in their facilities and on their vehicles. However, FBOs believe that whether their activities commitment to humanitarian and service delivery They also (like one of the NGOs) observe daily comply with religious values and injunctions is an The FBOs and NGOs selected for study included some aims; some are also engaged in development, prayer rituals. important criterion for assessing performance. that specialize in activities related to HIV/AIDS and advocacy and conflict resolution activities, some that are engaged in such activities as part of especially those exposed to international The comparative advantages of FBOs broader development programmes. To compare development thinking. and NGOs  FBOs generally justify their activities, including their organizations operating in local contexts with different Many beneficiaries feel that FBOs, in general, have HIV/AIDS-related work, in religious terms and use religious compositions and explore their links with advantages over NGOs (e.g. a long history, an ongoing religious language and practices in their work. In government, comparable FBOs and NGOs were presence, higher levels of trust, greater financial addition, both Christians and Muslims are identified in one or two LGAs in each state: independence, and autonomy to set locally responsive encouraged to spread their religion, so FBOs development agendas). FBOs’ (partial) financial  Ikorodu, which is equidistant from Lagos and Ikeja, believe that they have a responsibility to evangelize, independence depends on religiously mandated giving the capital of Lagos State and often see their humanitarian activities as a from their members and local congregations, which is  Nassarawa and Tarauni, both adjacent to Kano means to that end. significant for most of the FBOs studied, especially metropolitan area. POD-ECWA’s Kano State branch  NGOs, in contrast, express their mission and POD-ECWA, NASFAT and MCN. is based in Nassarawa, but the difficult environment values in secular humanitarian terms, even when has led it to operate in villages with mainly Christian their founders, employees and volunteers have However, several also rely on international donor funding populations. Those studied are in Tudun Wada, religious motivations, as many do in a society (as do the NGOs), and in one case (NASFAT) on income more than 100 Km south of Kano. where almost everyone considers him or herself to from its own business investments. For example, the Al- be religious. Despite this, observers consider NGOs Noury Hospital originally relied solely on (and continues The case studies were based on semi-structured to be less able and willing to adhere to religious to receive) religious giving (such as zakat). However, it interviews with selected local government and FBO/ principles in their practices. NGO staff (and with religious and other traditional also receives international funding channelled through government. In 2009, 48 of its 72 staff and its testing leaders in Kano State), focus group discussions with The design of FBO and NGO programmes and their and treatment programmes were funded from PEPFAR beneficiaries and other local residents, available organizational characteristics differ. documentary information and observation. The study (the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), was undertaken by four Nigerian researchers and the  An organization’s values influence its HIV/AIDS channelled through a consortium of five organizations led data assembled during a 2-3 week fieldwork period in programmes, for example, which groups are by Catholic Relief Services. RAPAC also receives funds each location. The study relied mainly on information targeted, with only the NGOs (CSADI, SWAAN) from this and similar sources. provided by and the views of key informants, so care targeting high risk groups who engage in behaviour must be taken in drawing general conclusions, of which FBOs disapprove, including sex Nevertheless, for some functions NGOs may have Focus group discussion with SWAAN beneficiaries especially on the performance of FBOs and NGOs. workers.Organizations’ willingness to advocate advantages, for example, greater expertise. (photo by Comfort Davis)