CISLAC Warns Weak Institutions, Insecurity Threaten Nigeria’s SDG 16 Progress

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has warned that weak implementation of laws, limited transparency, institutional vulnerabilities and rising insecurity are undermining Nigeria’s progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16.

Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), raised the concerns while presenting the 9th Nigeria SDG 16 Shadow Report at a United Nations General Assembly side event in New York.

The report, which covers the period from July 2025 to August 2026, assesses Nigeria’s progress and setbacks in achieving SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice and strong institutions.

Rafsanjani said the report presented a “mixed picture”, acknowledging progress in areas such as illicit financial flows, asset recovery and anti-money laundering, but noting that these gains had not translated into corresponding improvements in Nigeria’s legal framework, transparency, access to information and public confidence in institutions.

He said the country continued to face persistent governance challenges, particularly weak and inconsistent implementation of laws and policies, while some public institutions remained vulnerable to political interference.

Rafsanjani called for stronger safeguards to protect institutions established to serve the public interest, stressing the need for greater independence, transparency and accountability.

He also identified political corruption, concerns over asset declarations and unexplained wealth as areas requiring stronger oversight to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.

On asset recovery, the CISLAC executive director said the country had recorded recoveries but expressed concern over inadequate transparency surrounding the process and the subsequent management of recovered assets.

He warned that without effective post-recovery tracking and public accountability, recovered assets could become vulnerable to mismanagement, potentially allowing the cycle of corruption to continue.

The report also highlighted concerns over the integrity and effectiveness of key public institutions, particularly the judiciary, security institutions and electoral bodies.

Rafsanjani said concerns surrounding electoral processes, institutional independence and the vetting of political appointees had further underscored the need for stronger accountability mechanisms.

He also identified insecurity, particularly the growing commercialisation of kidnapping for ransom, as a major threat to the achievement of SDG 16.

According to him, kidnapping has implications beyond security, affecting governance, economic development, human rights and the rule of law.

“When citizens cannot live, work or travel without fear, the foundations of peaceful and inclusive societies are weakened,” he said.

Rafsanjani said peace, justice and strong institutions remained fundamental to Nigeria’s broader development agenda, warning that the country faced an urgent implementation challenge as the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals approaches.

“The country does not lack laws, policies or institutions. The greater challenge is ensuring that these frameworks work effectively, consistently and in the public interest,” he said.

He described the 9th Nigeria SDG 16 Shadow Report as both “a mirror and a roadmap”, saying it provides an assessment of Nigeria’s current position while identifying reforms required to strengthen governance and institutional performance.

CISLAC called on the Federal Government, civil society organisations, development partners and the international community to translate commitments into concrete and measurable action.

The organisation specifically urged stakeholders to strengthen public institutions, protect civic space, improve transparency, expand access to information, safeguard public resources and uphold the rule of law.

Rafsanjani said Nigeria’s development could not be sustained without justice, accountability and effective institutions.

He urged stakeholders to move from commitments to implementation and ensure that public institutions function effectively, transparently and in the interest of citizens.