South West Regional Conference on Improving Regulatory Environment for CSO Operations in Nigeria

Introduction

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have long played a crucial role in supporting governments and communities by advocating for human rights and fostering accountability. CSOs come in various forms, such as associations, age groups, and networks, each performing unique roles within society. However, restrictive working environments can hinder the effectiveness of CSOs, limiting their ability to carry out these vital functions.

To address these challenges, Global Rights, in partnership with the Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening and with support from the European Union, has been organizing regional workshops aimed at fostering strategic partnerships for a thriving non-profit sector in Nigeria. These workshops focus on highlighting the difficulties faced by CSOs and identifying ways to mitigate these obstacles.

Overview of the Conference

ICCEF was honoured to participate in the South West Regional Conference on Improving Regulatory Environment for CSO Operations in Nigeria. The event saw participation from several distinguished figures, including the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun State, and members of the House of Representatives from Oyo and Osun states.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Abiola A. Afolabi, Co-Chair of the Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening, and Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director of Global Rights, who joined virtually. The Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo DE LUCA, also gave opening remarks. The keynote address was delivered by RT Hon Oludaisi Elemide, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, who emphasized the critical role of CSOs in driving growth in Nigeria and highlighted the restrictive nature of certain regulations that can impede their work.

Key Sessions and Highlights

– State Ranking Dashboard: A presentation by Global Rights revealed the dashboard ranking states according to their regulatory environments for CSOs, with Sokoto leading as the most favourable and Ogun State ranking as the most challenging. This dashboard, updated annually, provides a vital tool for understanding the regional differences in CSO operations.

– Incorporation of Bodies Corporate at the Sub-National Level: Dr. Benson Olugbuo led a session on the implications of Item 32 on CSO incorporation at the sub-national level, exploring whether it serves as a hindrance or an opportunity.

– Sustaining Financing for CSOs: Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, Programme Manager for CSO and Youth at EUDEL, presented strategies for sustaining financing from international donors. Key strategies included building strong donor relationships, maintaining consistent communication, adapting to donor trends, enhancing media presence, and strengthening organizational capacity.

– Panel Discussion on Strategic Partnerships: The conference concluded with a panel discussion featuring representatives from various government agencies and CSO leaders. The discussion focused on fostering strategic partnerships to improve the regulatory environment for CSOs at the sub-national level. A key takeaway from the panel was the question posed by Hon. Victor Obuzor, Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on CSOs and Development Matters: “Would the establishment of a dedicated CSO regulatory agency help alleviate some of the environmental issues affecting CSO effectiveness?”

Conclusion

This conference provided a timely platform for CSOs to engage in meaningful discussions about the impact of government policies on their operations and to explore strategic partnerships with government agencies. The insights gained will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of CSOs across Nigeria.