Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Warn CSOs Against Foreign Influence

President Bola Tinubu has cautioned civil society organisations (CSOs) against undue foreign influence, urging them to ensure that Nigeria’s national interest remains the overriding consideration in accepting external funding.

The President gave the warning on Wednesday while addressing the National Summit of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) in Lagos.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said organisations must remain guided by patriotism and the country’s development priorities in their operations and partnerships.

Speaking on the theme of the summit, “Nigeria First and Sustainable Development,” the President described it as timely and significant, stressing that the national interest must remain the guiding principle for policies, partnerships, and public investments.

He explained that the “Nigeria First” philosophy does not imply isolationism but reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that every policy and development initiative prioritises the welfare of Nigerians while promoting inclusive, climate-resilient, and future-focused development through purposeful leadership.

Tinubu noted that the summit aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic reforms, national security, food security, infrastructure development, improved healthcare and education, industrialisation, and effective governance.

He identified agriculture, the blue economy, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability as strategic sectors where stronger collaboration between the government and civil society could accelerate economic growth and improve livelihoods.

While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to working closely with civil society organisations across the federation, the President said such partnerships must always be driven by the country’s overall interest.

Also speaking at the summit, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State described the gathering as a defining moment for Nigeria, saying the country requires unity, patriotism, and constructive engagement to overcome its current challenges.

He commended the organisers for choosing the theme “Nigeria First,” describing it as a national creed that calls on Nigerians to place the country’s collective interest above ethnic, religious, regional, and political differences.

“Nigeria First is more than a slogan. It is a call to every citizen, every leader, and every institution to place the collective destiny of our nation above narrow considerations of ethnicity, religion, region, or partisanship,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu maintained that civil society organisations remain indispensable partners in democratic governance, serving as a bridge between government and citizens while promoting accountability, transparency, electoral integrity, community health, gender equality, and good governance.

The governor, however, urged civil society leaders to ensure that their advocacy remains factual, constructive, fair, and patriotic.

“The privilege of holding government accountable comes with a corresponding duty to be constructive, factual, fair, and patriotic. Advocacy that inflames division rather than heals it betrays the very communities it seeks to serve,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also highlighted Lagos State’s longstanding collaboration with civil society, noting that his administration has institutionalised citizen engagement through open budget processes, town hall meetings, and consultations with CSOs and CBOs on education, healthcare, transportation, environmental protection, and social welfare.

According to him, policies developed in partnership with citizens are more sustainable than those imposed without public participation.

Addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, the governor expressed confidence in the country’s resilience, citing its youthful population, entrepreneurial spirit, abundant natural resources, and more than 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance as reasons for optimism.

Earlier, the National Convener of the summit, Hon. Kunle Yusuf, said the Civil Society Organisations platform serves as the coordinating body for accredited CSOs across Nigeria.

He disclosed that the platform has about 6,000 registered CSOs, CBOs, and NGOs, with thousands implementing programmes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

According to Yusuf, the summit focused on five key areas: national unity, peace and security; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate action and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; democratic governance, judicial independence, and institutional reforms; and strategic information management and public communication.

He called on civil society organisations to combat misinformation by ensuring that only verified and credible information is disseminated to the public, while urging them to deepen collaboration with community-based organisations across Nigeria’s local governments in promoting national unity, democratic values, and sustainable development.

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