0
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday urged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to move beyond traditional activism and become stronger partners in advancing national development, saying their role had evolved beyond criticism of government to active participation in nation-building.
The President, who spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, also said his administration remained open to constructive criticism that promotes accountability, transparency and better governance.
Addressing participants at the opening of the National Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026 and Southern Civil Society Organisations Summit held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, Tinubu described CSOs as “co-architects of national development” and urged them to deepen engagement with government in promoting inclusive growth.
“Your work is not restricted to activism against the government; it is patriotism in action for Nigeria,” the President said.
He noted that civil society organisations had played critical roles during national emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as responses to flooding, climate change and public health challenges.
Tinubu said the theme of the summit, “Nigeria First,” was a reminder that every policy, partnership and public investment must prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.
He said the agenda aligned with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its eight priority areas, including economic reform, national security, food security, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, industrialisation, digitalisation and improved governance.
Tinubu identified food security, poverty reduction, governance and human capital development as key areas requiring closer cooperation between government and civil society.
On food security, he urged stakeholders to promote climate-smart agriculture, protect wetlands and restore mangroves, especially amid concerns over possible prolonged rainfall and flood risks in Lagos and other southern states.
He also highlighted the potential of the blue economy, renewable energy and environmental services in creating jobs and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians and women.
The President called on CSOs to strengthen their role in budget tracking, community monitoring, data sharing, social accountability and providing constructive feedback to improve government service delivery.
He maintained that his administration welcomed constructive criticism, stressing that accountability was essential for effective governance.
Tinubu, however, urged civil society groups to embrace self-regulation and stronger governance structures to prevent unethical practices and preserve public confidence in the sector.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his address stressed the importance of stronger cooperation between government and civil society organisations, describing CSOs as the “lifeblood of any thriving democracy” because of their role in promoting transparency, protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring accountability.
The governor said the theme, “Nigeria First,” was a timely reminder that national interest should take precedence over ethnic, religious, regional and personal considerations.
He noted that while civil society organisations have a responsibility to hold government accountable, such engagements must be guided by fairness, objectivity and constructive dialogue.
“The privilege of holding others to account comes with a corresponding duty to be constructive, to be factual and to be fair,” Sanwo-Olu said.
According to him, Lagos State has continued to institutionalise citizen participation through open budget processes, town hall meetings and regular consultations with civil society groups on policies covering education, healthcare, environmental issues and social welfare.
Sanwo-Olu warned that governance suffers when government views civil society as an adversary or when CSOs approach government with hostility, stressing that collaboration remains essential to achieving public good.
“Government and civil society are partners and allies. They are two wings of the same bird which must work together to fly the nation high,” he said.
He identified insecurity, economic pressures, youth empowerment, misinformation and declining public trust as some of the challenges requiring stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
The governor also called for greater investment in young Nigerians, urging leaders to nurture a generation committed not only to criticising the country but also to building its future.
Meanwhile, Director-General of CSCHI and National Convener of the summit, Mr Kunle Yusuff, unveiled a framework aimed at strengthening cybersecurity, data protection and operational standards within Nigeria’s civil society sector.
Yusuff said the initiative was designed to improve accountability, regulatory compliance and digital security while safeguarding government, institutional and personal information.
He explained that the framework would support standard operational procedures for civil society organisations, strengthen monitoring mechanisms and encourage evidence-based decision-making.
According to him, key areas of focus include national cybersecurity assessment, food security partnerships, democratic governance, judicial support, information management and digital transformation.
“Civil society organisations will serve as an independent watchdog that ensures accountability and compliance. Let us ensure that compliance is standard across board,” Yusuff said.
The CSCHI Director-General urged stakeholders across the public and private sectors to support the initiative, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration would improve institutional performance and accelerate sustainable development.
Also speaking, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba, described civil society organisations as a vital bridge between government and citizens.
“Civil society organisations are government accelerators and the people are the rights holders,” Ekeoba said.
She said stronger coordination among CSOs would improve representation, reduce duplication of efforts and enhance development outcomes.
Ekeoba noted that although civil society organisations frequently serve as first responders during emergencies, they often face challenges accessing sustainable funding.
She reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting civil society organisations through technical assistance and capacity development while advocating effective implementation of existing policies protecting the rights of women and girls across Nigeria.
