President Bola Tinubu has described civil society organisations as co-architects of Nigeria’s development, urging them to deepen collaboration with government in advancing transparency, accountability and sustainable growth across the country.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the National Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026 and Southern Civil Society Organisations Summit in Lagos, Tinubu said the era of viewing civil society solely through the lens of protest and opposition was over.

Speaking on the theme Nigeria First, he said the contributions of CSOs now stand at the heart of nation-building, particularly in moments of crisis, and should be recognised as patriotism in action rather than antagonism toward the state.

He recalled the role of civil society during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies, noting that CSOs remain indispensable in responding to flooding, climate change, public health threats and humanitarian challenges in vulnerable communities.

Tinubu explained that the Nigeria First agenda is not a call to isolationism but a commitment to ensuring that every policy, partnership and public investment is measured by its impact on the welfare and security of Nigerians.

Linking the summit to his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, he said civil society is central to delivering on key priorities such as economic reform, national security, food security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, industrialisation, digitalisation and improved governance.

He urged organisations to intensify budget tracking, community monitoring, data sharing and social accountability initiatives, stressing that independent assessments of government programmes help close gaps between policy promises and realities on the ground.

The President identified food security, poverty reduction, better governance and human capital development as areas where closer collaboration is urgently needed. He called for climate-smart agriculture, protection of wetlands and restoration of mangroves, warning that forecasts of prolonged rainfall and flooding in Lagos and other southern states demand proactive planning.

Tinubu also pointed to the blue economy, renewable energy and environmental services as emerging frontiers for job creation, particularly for young people and women. A young Nigerian working in solar power, waste management, aquaculture or climate services, he said, is not only earning a living but actively shaping the country’s future.

He emphasised the need for joint action on climate-related health risks, including cholera and malaria outbreaks linked to flooding and extreme weather, and welcomed constructive criticism from CSOs as vital to accountability and effective governance.

However, Tinubu challenged civil society groups to strengthen self-regulation and internal governance to guard against unethical practices and preserve public trust. He reaffirmed his commitment to structured, continuous engagement with CSOs nationwide, expressing confidence that the summit’s resolutions would yield practical, people-centred solutions to Nigeria’s development challenges.