National CSOs Summit: Stakeholders Seek Stronger Partnership for National Development
By Salami Abdulrahaman | Pan Afric Reporters
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for stronger collaboration between government and civil society organisations (CSOs) to promote accountability, good governance, national cohesion and sustainable development.
Tinubu made the call at the National Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026 in Abuja, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
He said civil society has played a significant role in Nigeria’s democratic development, describing the sector as the conscience of the nation and a critical voice for vulnerable and marginalised communities.
He noted that inclusive and sustainable development cannot be achieved without a vibrant, credible and responsible civil society operating within an open and enabling civic space.
The President acknowledged that the administration’s economic reforms have posed challenges for government and citizens, but assured that the country is moving from reforms to prosperity.
He listed four key areas for government-CSO collaboration: participatory governance, transparency and social accountability, localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and national cohesion and sustainable peace.
The President also directed the SGF to establish a quarterly policy dialogue forum between the Federal Government and CSOs to strengthen public accountability and ensure citizens’ concerns inform government policies.
According to him, the forum is one of four commitments to deepen government-civil society collaboration, particularly in public finance transparency, budget monitoring, humanitarian interventions and national development.
Government, he said, will work with accredited organisations to strengthen transparency, budget tracking and monitoring of humanitarian and grassroots interventions.
On the 2027 general elections, Tinubu urged CSOs to sustain voter education, election monitoring and advocacy for electoral reforms before, during and after the polls.
He further called on CSOs to collectively develop a code of conduct for members, stressing the need for ethics and public interest in their operations.
He identified four areas of alignment between government and civil society: food security, poverty eradication through jobs and enterprise, improved governance, and human capital development.
Speaking at the summit, the Director-General of the Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI) and National Convener, Amb. Kunle Yusuff, MON, said the gathering brought together representatives from the 774 local government areas to deliberate on national development.
Yusuff said the summit was self-funded through contributions from associates and did not receive financial support from government.
According to him, CSOs have roles beyond election observation, including civic education, electoral integrity, advocacy, public enlightenment and information management.
He added that capacity-building training will be provided for CSOs across sectors after the summit.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Ms. Salomey Akpovwerha Eferemo, said the initiative was designed to strengthen collaboration between Nigerians, civil society and government institutions.
Eferemo, a media and information specialist, said the summit focused on critical national issues including education, healthcare, poverty eradication and the SDGs.
She stressed the need for properly funded schools and qualified teachers, noting that the initiative aims to contribute to long-term national development.
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