Civil Society Reforms Gain Momentum as EU-Supported Project Records Major Wins

By Joy Baba-Yesufu

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have recorded significant progress in regulatory compliance and advocacy effectiveness following the conclusion of a three-year European Union–supported project aimed at strengthening civic space across the country.

The achievements were highlighted at a high-level impact review convening marking the wrap-up of the project, Strengthening a Community of Practice to Improve the CSO Regulatory Environment in Nigeria, implemented by Global Rights with the support of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and West Africa (EUDEL).

Speaking at the event, Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, said the initiative was deliberately designed to equip CSOs with practical knowledge of regulatory frameworks while promoting reforms that enhance their operational environment at both national and sub-national levels.

According to her, the project strengthened a Community of Practice on civic space by building the capacity of 320 civil society organisations, with over 200 now fully compliant with regulatory requirements. She noted that many of these organisations have gone on to train others, creating a multiplier effect across the sector.

Baiyewu also disclosed that the project produced a state-level civic space dashboard, ranking the responsiveness of governments across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to civil society operations. The tool, she said, has become an evidence-based resource for advocacy and engagement.

In addition, active Communities of Practice were established in seven states in Southern Nigeria and the FCT, fostering peer learning and coordinated action. The initiative also supported the drafting of a model policy and bill to harmonise sub-national CSO registration and regulatory procedures. The framework has been validated by stakeholders and is currently being adapted by Akwa Ibom State in collaboration with the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

“This convening is a moment of reflection and accountability,” Baiyewu said, adding that the lessons from the project would inform future programming and policy engagement aimed at ensuring a more enabling civic space in Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Civil Societies and Development Matters, Victor Obuzor, commended civil society organisations for their growing influence in governance, describing their advocacy across sectors such as education, health, justice, and accountability as increasingly impactful.

He noted that CSOs have become stronger voices for citizens who lack platforms to be heard, often prompting governments to adjust policies in favour of the wider public.

However, Obuzor acknowledged concerns about the misuse of civic space by a minority of organisations. He cautioned that while many CSOs operate with integrity, some actors undermine the sector by serving narrow political or personal interests.

“In every space, there are those who mean well and those who do not. Some organisations damage the credibility of civil society by allowing themselves to be used as tools for destabilisation,” he said.

The impact review concluded with calls for sustained collaboration between civil society, government institutions, and development partners to consolidate gains, scale up reforms, and protect civic space as a cornerstone of democratic governance and sustainable development in Nigeria.