President Bola Tinubu has described civil society organisations (CSOs) as key partners in Nigeria’s development, urging them to work more closely with his administration to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President made the call on Wednesday at the opening of the 2026 National Civil Society Organisations Summit and Southern Civil Society Organisations Summit in Lagos.
Tinubu was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The summit, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, had the theme, “Nigeria First.”
The President said the role of civil society has gone beyond activism to becoming an essential force for national development.
He described the work of CSOs as “patriotism in action” and praised their contributions to nation-building.
Tinubu recalled the vital role civil society organisations played during the COVID-19 pandemic and other national emergencies.
He said they remain critical partners in addressing flooding, climate change and public health challenges.
According to him, the Nigeria First policy is designed to ensure that government actions, investments and partnerships always prioritise the interests of Nigerians.
He noted that the summit aligns with the eight priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda, including economic reforms, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure and digitalisation.
The President urged CSOs to strengthen transparency by engaging in budget tracking, community monitoring and independent assessments of government programmes.
He said such measures would improve accountability and accelerate sustainable development.
Tinubu identified food security, poverty reduction, good governance and human capital development as areas requiring stronger collaboration between government and civil society.
He also advocated climate-smart agriculture, wetland protection and mangrove restoration to reduce the impact of flooding and climate change.
The President highlighted the economic opportunities in renewable energy, the blue economy, waste management and environmental services.
He said these sectors have the potential to create jobs for millions of young Nigerians and women.
Tinubu warned that climate change has increased the risks of diseases such as cholera and malaria, making stronger health partnerships necessary.
He assured civil society groups that his administration welcomes constructive criticism as part of efforts to improve governance.
However, he urged CSOs to strengthen internal governance and self-regulation to maintain public confidence and prevent unethical practices.
Tinubu expressed confidence that the resolutions of the 2026 CSO Summit would produce practical solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to sustained engagement with civil society in building a prosperous, accountable and resilient nation
