…CSOs demand grassroots voice in policy, budgets —
The Presidency has ordered the establishment of a quarterly government-civil society policy dialogue forum to institutionalise citizens’ participation in policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the disclosure on Friday at the 2026 National Civil Society Organisation Summit in Abuja.
He said the forum would provide a structured platform for evidence-based advocacy and ensure that community-level concerns were reflected in government decisions.
The President also pledged to expand civic space for social accountability, including greater collaboration with accredited civil society organisations (CSOs) on public finance transparency, budget tracking and monitoring of humanitarian and grassroots interventions.
Tinubu said the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen public trust and institutional accountability as his administration pursued its reform agenda.
He said the summit, coming shortly after Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary, represented a reaffirmation of the social contract between the state and citizens.
According to him, civil society had historically played a critical role in Nigeria’s democratic development by giving voice to vulnerable groups, influencing policy and advocating social justice, human rights, poverty reduction and anti-corruption.
“My administration firmly believes that no nation can achieve inclusive, equitable and sustainable development without a vibrant, credible and responsible civil society operating within an open and enabling civic space,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged the difficulties created by the economic reforms embarked upon by his administration since 2023, but said the country was moving from reforms towards prosperity.
He said economic growth must translate into social inclusion, adding that the government alone could not achieve the objective.
“Hence, we are reaching out to the left out,” he said, stressing the need for stronger partnerships among government, civil society and other stakeholders.
The President identified four areas for deeper government-CSO collaboration, beginning with the quarterly policy dialogue forum to be established by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He said the forum would facilitate evidence-based advocacy and enable community insights to feed into policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.
Tinubu also pledged to strengthen accountability and transparency by expanding civic space for social accountability and working with accredited CSOs on public finance transparency, budget tracking and monitoring of humanitarian and grassroots interventions.
He said CSOs would also be repositioned as key drivers of efforts to localise the Sustainable Development Goals, with government, the United Nations system, development partners and the private sector supporting capacity building, institutional sustainability and access to technical and financial resources.
The areas identified include poverty reduction, youth and women empowerment, health, education, climate resilience and peace-building.
On national cohesion, the President urged CSOs to remain a stabilising force by countering false information, promoting interfaith dialogue and advocating inclusive governance.
He also urged the organisations to play a prominent role in preparations for the 2027 general elections through voter education, election monitoring and advocacy for electoral reforms.
Tinubu said the credibility of the electoral process would require coordinated efforts involving civil society, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, the media and citizens.
