Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu urge CSOs to partner government, put Nigeria first

By Innocent Anaba

LAGOS— President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, urged Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to embrace partnership with government and place national interest above all else in advancing sustainable development, accountability and good governance.

The call came at the maiden Southern Civil Society Organisation Summit held in Lagos with the theme, “Nigeria First on Sustainable Development.”

Representing President Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, described civil society organisations as critical partners in nation-building rather than opponents of government.

According to him, the perception of CSOs as entities that merely criticise government should give way to one that recognises them as “co-architects of national resilience” whose contributions to transparency, community development and social accountability complement government efforts.

Akume said the summit aligned with the renewed hope agenda and the administration’s eight priority areas, including food security, poverty reduction, good governance, human capital development and climate resilience.

He urged CSOs to support budget tracking, community monitoring and data-driven accountability, while cautioning against accepting foreign funding capable of undermining Nigeria’s national interest.

The SGF also disclosed that the Federal Government would convene a National Civil Society Organisation Summit in Abuja in the fourth quarter of 2026 to strengthen engagement between government and civil society.

In his remarks, Governor Sanwo-Olu said government and civil society should not see themselves as adversaries but as partners pursuing a common objective.

Describing both as “two wings of the same bird,” the governor said constructive engagement was crucial to addressing insecurity, economic challenges, youth unemployment and the spread of misinformation.

He noted that Lagos State had institutionalised citizen engagement through initiatives such as open budgeting and structured consultations with civil society groups, adding that policies developed through collaboration enjoy wider public acceptance and ownership.

Earlier, Director-General and National Convener of the Southern Civil Society Organisation Summit, Mr Kunle Yusuf, said the summit was convened to strengthen multi-stakeholder collaboration, promote inclusive governance, assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, deepen climate change partnerships and reaffirm commitment to national development.

Yusuf also called on CSOs to uphold professionalism, comply with regulatory requirements and evolve practical strategies to support local government autonomy and grassroots development.

Also speaking, the Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations, Amb. Patience Ekeoba, acknowledged the funding challenges confronting civil society organisations globally, but reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting CSOs through technical assistance, capacity building and partnerships that promote the rights of women and girls.

Similarly, the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, who served as the technical partner for the summit, stressed the need for evidence-based policymaking and strategic collaboration to accelerate sustainable national development.

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