President Bola Tinubu has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) across the country to align more closely with his administration’s development agenda, calling on them to prioritise national interests and reject foreign funding that could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and development objectives.
Speaking at the Southern Civil Society Organisations Summit in Lagos on Wednesday, the President said CSOs must move beyond being perceived solely as critics of government and instead become active partners in promoting sustainable development, good governance, poverty reduction and human capital development.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Yomi Odunuga, said the President was represented at the summit by the SGF, Senator George Akume.
Speaking on the theme, “Nigeria First and Sustainable Development,” Tinubu commended civil society groups for their contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, flood disasters and other national emergencies, describing their interventions as patriotism in action.
He said: “Nigeria First does not mean Nigeria alone. It speaks to every policy, partnership and public investment that prioritises the welfare of Nigerians as the main goal. It also means that our development must be inclusive, climate-resilient and future-facing in a manner that is underpinned by purposeful partnership.”
Declaring the summit open, the President said civic organisations play vital roles in public enlightenment, accountability, humanitarian support and community mobilisation.
He stressed that the summit’s theme aligns with the objectives of his Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s eight priority areas, including economic reforms, national security, food security, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, industrialisation and improved governance.
According to him, civil society organisations are critical partners in achieving these goals and delivering better outcomes for Nigerians.
Tinubu identified food security as a key area for collaboration, warning that forecasts of prolonged rainfall and increased flood risks in several southern states could threaten livelihoods and agricultural production.
He urged CSOs to work with the government and local communities to promote climate-smart agriculture, support farmers and fishermen, protect wetlands and restore mangroves that serve as natural buffers against environmental disasters.
The President also highlighted job creation and enterprise development as essential to reducing poverty, pointing to opportunities in the marine and blue economy, renewable energy and climate-related industries.
He said stronger collaboration among government, civil society and the private sector would create sustainable employment opportunities for young people and women across the southern region.
On governance, Tinubu assured participants that his administration welcomes constructive scrutiny and accountability mechanisms. He encouraged civil society organisations to deepen their involvement in budget tracking, community monitoring, data sharing and social accountability initiatives to improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
The President also called for closer collaboration in healthcare and education, noting that climate change is increasingly contributing to the spread of diseases such as cholera and malaria.
He cited ongoing reforms under the Federal Government’s HOPE Governance Programme, being implemented in partnership with the World Bank, to improve transparency, financing and workforce management in basic education and primary healthcare.
Tinubu, however, cautioned civil society organisations against accepting foreign funding that could compromise Nigeria’s national interest.
“I find it patriotic and necessary to admonish you all to remain cautious of the negative impact of foreign influence in whatever cause you pursue. In all circumstances, national interest and ethical considerations must guide your acceptance of funding that may be detrimental. Above all, the proliferation of CSOs must be avoided so that the civic space is not taken over by criminally minded and ethically deficient players,” he said.
He advocated stronger self-regulation within the sector and warned that the unchecked proliferation of civil society organisations could create opportunities for criminal and unethical actors to infiltrate the civic space.
“The democratically elected government under my leadership is never averse to constructive scrutiny because we welcome partnerships that improve results. I therefore invite our civil society organisations to deepen their contribution through budget tracking, community monitoring, data sharing, social accountability and practical scorecards that help government deliver better outcomes,” he added.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to structured engagement with civil society, Tinubu urged participants to produce practical resolutions from the summit and announced plans to convene a National Civil Society Organisations Summit in Abuja later this year.