This Policy Brief, authored by Dr. Otive Igbuzor, presents a compelling case for the self-regulation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria. It argues that in an environment marked by constricted civic space, regulatory threats, and public distrust, the most sustainable response from the civil society sector is to strengthen its internal governance and accountability through self-regulation.
The brief begins by situating the role of CSOs within the broader development discourse, emphasizing the unique contributions of civil society in representing marginalized voices, advocating for equity, and delivering public goods. It traces the historical evolution of civil society in Nigeria and outlines its growing importance as state and private sector actors fall short in public service delivery and accountability.
Recognizing the global trend of shrinking civic space—especially in Africa—the document highlights how restrictive government actions and the emergence of "uncivil society" actors (including fraudulent or extremist groups) have intensified calls for stricter oversight. However, it warns that externally imposed regulations often risk stifling legitimate advocacy and weakening democratic governance.
Instead, the Policy Brief advocates a robust framework of self-regulation built on principles such as transparency, legitimacy, and performance. It introduces globally recognized self-regulatory tools—like codes of conduct, certification schemes, and peer review mechanisms—and references successful case studies from the Philippines and international NGO coalitions.
In the Nigerian context, it critiques misguided efforts like the proposed NGO and NPO bills and calls for renewed focus on operationalizing existing initiatives such as the CSO Accountability and Transparency Initiative (CATI) and the CSO National Self-Regulatory Council. It also stresses the need to rebuild public trust, strengthen internal systems, and create mechanisms that distinguish credible CSOs from bad actors.
Ultimately, this Policy Brief is a strategic guide for Nigerian civil society to reclaim its credibility and space through collective responsibility and institutional integrity.
