Igbuzor, the Executive Director of Centre LSD, has described CSOs as agents of change in Nigeria, noting their contributions to achieving independence and campaigning against military rule that led to transition to civil rule in 1999
The Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), Otive Igbuzor, has emphasized the critical role Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have played as agents of change in Nigeria, particularly in fostering democracy, ensuring accountability, and addressing socio-economic challenges.
Igbuzor made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the SCALE project, during the “SCALE Legacy Summit: Celebrating Our Impact, Opening New Doors” in Abuja recently.
In his speech, Igbuzor highlighted the historical contributions of CSOs in Nigeria, noting their role in promoting social change, delivering services to underserved populations, and holding governments accountable. He pointed out that Nigerian CSOs have been instrumental in shaping policies toward pro-people legislation, raising public awareness on human rights, and providing economic support to internally displaced persons and vulnerable communities. Furthermore, CSOs were key players in Nigeria’s independence movement and in the transition to civilian rule in 1999.
He said: “Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria have historically contributed to promoting development through advocacy for social change, providing services especially of underserved groups, fostering participatory development and holding the government to account.
“It has been documented that CSOs in Nigeria have played key roles in humanitarian assistance; influencing policy towards more pro-people legislation; reshaping the attitudes of traditional and cultural practices; improving the public awareness of human rights; providing economic support for internally displaced persons and communities.
He added that CSOs also significantly impact employment by creating opportunities and contributing to societal harmony through their work on human rights, gender equality, social inclusion, and free and fair elections.
However, Igbuzor noted that despite the impact made by CSOs, it has faced substantial obstacles ranging from government inefficiencies, private sector shortcomings, wrong public perception, diminishing civic space and inadequate funding.
He acknowledged that, “CSOs have operated in a very hostile environment. The operating environment of CSOs in Nigeria is hostile, harsh to survival and sustainability. Many civil society organisations that were thriving in the 1980s have declined in visibility, relevance and impact.”
He noted that since the return of civil rule in 1999, the civic space expanded as government engagement with civil society increased. During President Olusegun Obasanjo there was summit exclusively with civil society between 1999 and 2007. Likewise, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan had summit with civil society between 2010 and 2015. However President Mohammad Buhari’s eight years saw the decline in engagement with civil society instead there as been attempts by federal and state governments in Nigeria to silence activists and dissenting voices while imposing restrictive measures, laws, and policies to disrupt the legitimate operations of civil society organisations and human rights defenders
He expressed concern over negative public perceptions that view CSOs as unaccountable entities with easy access to donor funding. This perception, he noted, has led to attempts by the government to regulate the sector through initiatives like the controversial “NGO Bill,” aimed at controlling CSO activities.
The Founder pf Centre LSD, clarified that CSOs undergo strict financial policies and guidelines and are more accountable than the government and private sector in Nigeria.
“CSOs are subjected to several regulatory framework in Nigeria including but not limited to the following: CAC- Annual filing to Corporate Affairs Commission, FIRS – Federal Inland Revenue Service, FCTIRS or State IRS, SCUML- Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering , NHIS- National Health Insurance Scheme, NSITF-Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NHF- National Housing Fund, FRC- Financial Reporting Council, PENCOM- National Pension Commission,”
He further noted that the emergence of some actors within the civic space which he described as “uncivil society” who are the “terrorists, criminals, drug dealers, traffickers in people and others who undo the good works of civil society.” Although these groups Igbuzor said existed outside government and private sector, they cannot be regarded as CSOs. They are criminal organisations and the appropriate response is prosecution and not more regulation of CSOs, Igbuzor stated.
Notably, Igbuzor identified inadequate funding as one of the major challenges faced by many CSOs in Nigeria as they operate with limited resources to sustain their activities.
Despite the significant challenges, Igbuzor underscored that there are several factors which provide significant opportunities for the growth and impact of civil society in Nigeria.
“the existence of development partners who are willing to engage, support and provide funding for civil society efforts. Without development partner support, civil society growth and impact will be limited in Nigeria.
“Increasing failure of government to provide for the security and welfare of citizens and inability of the private sector to become the engine of growth and development present more opportunities for CSOs. CSOs have gathered a lot of experience which can be deployed to affect the development trajectory of Nigeria.
“ The recent initiative of Self-regulation by CSOs in Nigeria has the potential to address the hostile environment and change the perception of Nigerians about CSOs. Over the years, the need for Self-regulation has been recognised globally. In Nigeria, there have been several efforts and processes since the 1990s to enable self-regulation.”
Igbuzor identified other opportunities for CSOs, including the rise of social movements and the localisation agenda being promoted by development partners like USAID. He argued that these movements, exemplified by campaigns like #EndSARS and #ArewaMeToo, have the potential to drive significant societal change, and the localisation agenda can empower local actors to lead the charge for development in their communities.
The SCALE project, according to Igbuzor, has played a significant role in strengthening the capacity of Nigerian CSOs, particularly in terms of advocacy, management, and service delivery.
He said : “As at September, 2024, SCALE project has reached 35 states plus the FCT. SCALE worked directly with and strengthened 215 CSOs and BMOs through the cluster approach. SCALE work covered 14 sectors including extractives; agriculture; health; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); education; sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV); trafficking in persons (TIP); child and early forced marriage (CEFM); youth development; anti-corruption; fiscal transparency; social inclusion; elections; and civic space. In 2024, SCALE extended its reach in the health sector to tuberculosis advocacy working with the national coordinating body to advance response to tuberculosis treatment.
“The work of SCALE provided training and capacity development opportunities to more than 1,000 local organisations across the country. The project graduated 72 OD and advocacy professionals through the OD/Advocacy market place training programme. SCALE work resulted in 81 policy actions by government. Over 1300 CSOs signed up to CSO Atlas platform as part of CSO self-regulation initiative.
“SCALE deployed 1,133 election observers during the 2023 elections; provided survivor recovery support to over 72 trafficking survivors; established three private sector against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Forums; reached 443, 469 unique listeners with SGBV and CEFM messages; established safe spaces in 87 communities for over 4,810 survivors and prevented early marriage of 10 girls.” Igbuzor explained
