CSOs Seek Stronger Partnership With FG For National Development

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called for stronger collaboration with the federal government to address Nigeria’s pressing governance and socio-economic challenges.

Speaking at the 3rd edition of the National Legacy Summit yesterday in Abuja, themed “Doing the Talk,” the executive director of Advocacy for Good Ethics and Accountability for Development (AGEAD), Comrade Henry Thomas, stressed the importance of partnerships in achieving national development goals.

The summit, organised in collaboration with AGEAD, Integrity Advocacy for Development Initiatives, and other allied civil societies, served as a platform to evaluate the role of CSOs in supporting the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Thomas urged stakeholders to move beyond policy declarations and focus on implementing practical solutions that deliver measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.

He further emphasised the need for increased transparency, effective resource mobilisation, and inclusive governance as key strategies for advancing national progress.

Discussions at the summit also addressed the need for collective action to resolve challenges in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic development.

He reaffirmed the importance of accountability and collaboration, highlighting the need to transform ideas into concrete outcomes that enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians.

On his part, Dominic Ogakwu, president of the Civil Society Group for Good Governance (CSGGG), stressed that the theme of the summit—”Doing the Talk: Delivering on Mandates with Integrity”—was timely.

He highlighted the need for genuine commitment to the nation’s welfare rather than divisive actions based on regional or political affiliations.

He reflected on the nation’s precarious state: “The truth be told, this country is on the brink of collapse. If people like us do not rise to hold the pillars that hold the country together, the future looks grim.”

He expressed concern about the ongoing tax reform debate, which he believes has become mired in regional and ethnic biases. Instead of uniting to evaluate the reform’s impact on all Nigerians, discussions are now marked by division.

“We are no longer talking as a country but from the lens of our geographical inclinations. We need to shift back to a united mindset,” he said.

He called on those in leadership positions to uphold their mandates with integrity. “It is not enough to simply hold office; we must deliver on the promises made to the people of Nigeria. This is not a time for business as usual; it is time to act decisively and rebuild our nation with sincerity and commitment,” he added.