.President Bola Tinubu has urged civil society organisations (CSOs) to play a major role in protecting the credibility of the Tinubu 2027 elections as Nigeria prepares for the next general elections.
Speaking at the 2026 Nigeria First National Civil Society Organisations Summit in Abuja on Friday, the President asked CSOs to strengthen voter education, monitor the electoral process and advocate for reforms that can improve public confidence in elections.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, represented Tinubu at the summit held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Tinubu 2027 elections: President seeks stronger CSO involvement
Tinubu said civil society organisations have an important role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process and protecting the rights of citizens.
He urged the groups to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, the judiciary, the media and citizens as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
According to the President, CSOs should educate voters about their rights and responsibilities while providing independent monitoring of the electoral process.
He also called on the organisations to advocate for electoral reforms and help promote a transparent process before, during and after the elections.
Tinubu said credible elections require cooperation among different institutions and stakeholders. He also asked CSOs to maintain their independence while engaging government and holding public institutions accountable.
The President further urged civil society organisations to develop a code of conduct that would promote ethical standards and accountability within the sector.
He said CSOs should also help counter false information, promote national cohesion and support peaceful engagement across communities.
The President described civil society as a key partner in Nigeria’s democratic development. He noted that civic groups have contributed to human rights advocacy, social justice, anti-corruption efforts and poverty reduction over the years.
Presidency establishes quarterly government-CSO dialogue
Tinubu also directed the SGF to establish a Quarterly Government-Civil Society Policy Dialogue Forum.
The new forum will provide a structured platform for CSOs to present evidence-based recommendations and grassroots concerns to government.
Tinubu said the forum would allow community-level information to contribute to policy design, implementation and evaluation.
The President also announced plans to expand collaboration with accredited CSOs on public finance transparency, budget tracking and the monitoring of humanitarian and grassroots interventions.
He said the government would also work with the United Nations system, development partners and the private sector to provide technical and financial support for civil society organisations.
The partnership will cover areas such as poverty reduction, youth and women’s empowerment, healthcare, education, climate resilience and peacebuilding.
National Convener of the 2026 National Civil Society Organisations Summit, Ambassador Kunle Yusuff, said CSOs have access to important information from communities across Nigeria.
Yusuff said such grassroots information could help government identify emerging problems and develop more responsive policies.
He said the organisations could also help monitor government policies, budgets and electoral promises while ensuring that community concerns reach decision-makers.
Yusuff called for a stronger partnership between government, civil society and the private sector, arguing that each sector has a role to play in addressing national challenges.
The summit also featured discussions on governance, elections, artificial intelligence, food security and other national development issues.
Tinubu’s call comes as preparations for the Tinubu 2027 elections continue, with civil society organisations and other stakeholders increasingly focusing on electoral integrity, voter participation and reforms ahead of the polls.
The President’s proposed quarterly dialogue will also give CSOs a formal channel to present community concerns and policy recommendations to government while they continue their role in monitoring public institutions and the electoral process.
