Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria Lament Operational Challenges

A recent conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has highlighted the operational challenges facing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria.

The 2025 South-South Regional Conference on Improving the Operational Environment for CSOs, themed “Scaling Policy to Action – Strengthening the Regulatory Environment for Sustainable CSO Operations at the Subnational Level,” brought together stakeholders to discuss the issues.

Despite their crucial role in promoting democracy, accountability, and community empowerment, many CSOs in Nigeria face duplicative registration requirements, burdensome financial obligations, and restrictive regulations imposed by multiple state agencies. These challenges hinder their ability to operate effectively and deliver services to communities.

Ken Henshaw, Co-Chair of the Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening, noted that Nigeria’s civic space is getting restricted, limiting citizens’ participation in democratic processes. “The freedom to speak out is limited while the existing atmosphere is repressive,” he said.

Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights, emphasized the need for a more enabling environment for CSOs to thrive. “Let’s build Nigeria where peace and justice reign,” she urged, calling for stronger collaboration between CSOs and government agencies.

The conference featured panel discussions on innovative strategies for navigating shrinking funding, strengthening the legal framework for civil society, and promoting CSO sustainability. Participants also discussed the disparity in operating environments between North and South Nigeria, attributing it to different CSO focuses in the two regions.

KufreAbasi Edidem, Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, acknowledged the challenges faced by CSOs but emphasized that these can be overcome with proper legislative reforms. He highlighted CSOs’ contributions to promoting the rule of law, social justice, and political participation.

The conference concluded with a call for improved collaboration between CSOs and government agencies to create a more enabling environment for civil society to thrive. A presentation of the 2025 CSO State Ranking Dashboard provided insights into the operating environment for CSOs across different states in Nigeria.