President Bola Tinubu has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) across Nigeria to prioritise national interests and reject foreign funding that could undermine the country’s sovereignty and development objectives.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume (CON), at the Southern Civil Society Organisations Summit in Lagos on Wednesday, Tinubu called on CSOs to move beyond being mere critics and become active partners in promoting sustainable development, good governance and human capital development.
Addressing the summit theme, “Nigeria First and Sustainable Development”, the president commended civil society groups for their interventions during the COVID‑19 pandemic, flood emergencies and other national crises, describing their efforts as “patriotism in action”. He stressed that “Nigeria First” does not mean “Nigeria alone”, adding that it requires policies, partnerships and investments that prioritise citizens’ welfare while remaining inclusive, climate‑resilient and future‑facing.
Tinubu said the summit’s objectives align with his Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s eight priority areas — economic reform, national security, food security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, industrialisation and improved governance — and described CSOs as essential partners in delivering those goals.
Highlighting food security as a key area for collaboration, the president warned that forecasts of prolonged rainfall and heightened flood risks in several southern states could threaten livelihoods and agricultural output. He urged CSOs to work with government and communities to promote climate‑smart agriculture, support farmers and fishermen, protect wetlands, and restore mangroves, which act as natural buffers against environmental disasters.
Tinubu also pointed to job creation and enterprise development as critical routes to poverty reduction, identifying opportunities in the marine and blue economy, renewable energy and climate‑related sectors. He said enhanced cooperation between government, civil society and the private sector would help generate sustainable employment for young people and women across the southern region.
On governance, the president welcomed constructive scrutiny and encouraged CSOs to deepen their engagement in budget tracking, community monitoring, data sharing and social accountability initiatives to improve service delivery and strengthen public confidence in institutions. He cited the Federal Government’s HOPE Governance programme, implemented with World Bank support, as an ongoing reform effort aimed at boosting transparency, financing and workforce management in basic education and primary health care.
However, Tinubu warned CSOs to exercise caution when accepting foreign funding that might be detrimental to national interests or open the door to unethical actors. “I find it patriotic and compelling to admonish you all to remain cautious of the negative impact of foreign influence in whatever cause you pursue,” he said, adding that unchecked proliferation of CSOs could create opportunities for “criminally minded and ethically deficient players”. He urged self‑regulation within the sector.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to structured engagement with civil society, the president called for practical resolutions from the summit and announced plans for a National Civil Society Organisations Summit scheduled to be held in Abuja later this year.
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