Bauchi CSOs Seek Regulatory Council To Tackle Multiple Registration, Taxation

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Bauchi State have called for the establishment of a regulatory council to address the challenges of multiple registrations and taxation imposed by different government ministries, departments, and agencies.

The call formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of a two-day training on self-regulation for 20 CSOs. The training was organised by the Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organisations (BASNEC) to strengthen accountability, transparency, and operational standards within the sector.

At the training, the chairman of BASNEC, Mr Jinjiri Garba, said the absence of a unified regulatory framework has created operational difficulties for many CSOs.

He said the training was designed to help the participating organisations meet minimum operational standards and align their activities with global best practices.

Garba explained that the proposed regulatory council, similar to professional bodies such as the Nigerian Medical Council and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, would promote unity among CSOs and ensure that organizations register under a single authority for effective coordination and monitoring of their activities.

According to him, “Many organisations are doing excellent work in communities, but without proper structures and compliance with standards, they may face challenges in accessing support.”

Also speaking at the training, a lawyer and Executive Director of ‘WE AID Initiative’, Barr. Gambo Wakili, urged participants to serve as ambassadors of accountability and ethical conduct by ensuring that civil society groups play credible and impactful roles in community development.

Another facilitator, Hajiya Asmau Yahaya, Executive Director of Women with Disability, Integrity and Development Initiative, said the training would help CSOs in Bauchi address challenges such as weak internal accountability mechanisms, interference from government agencies, and governance issues affecting both the CSO and public sectors.

While expressing appreciation to the Ethics and Good Leadership Awareness Initiative (EGLAI) for its support and the European Union for funding the programme, BASNEC encouraged the about 30 participants to step down the training within their respective organisations.