President Bola Tinubu has urged civil society organisations to prioritise Nigeria's national interest when accepting foreign funding, warning against undue external influence. He gave the directive on Wednesday during a speech delivered by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume at the National Summit of Civil Society Organisations and Community-Based Organisations in Lagos. Tinubu stressed that patriotism and national development priorities must guide CSO operations and partnerships, describing the summit's theme, "Nigeria First and Sustainable Development," as timely. He clarified that "Nigeria First" does not mean isolationism but reflects a commitment to policies that place Nigerians' welfare at the centre while promoting inclusive, climate-resilient growth. The President linked the summit to his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, citing economic reforms, security, food production, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and industrialisation as key focus areas. He identified agriculture, the blue economy, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability as sectors where government-CSO collaboration could boost economic growth and livelihoods. Tinubu reaffirmed his administration's willingness to partner with CSOs, provided such collaborations serve the country's overall interest. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also spoke, calling the summit a defining moment and praising the "Nigeria First" theme as a national creed. He urged CSOs to remain factual, fair, constructive, and patriotic, warning that advocacy that fuels division undermines the communities it claims to serve. Sanwo-Olu described CSOs as vital to democratic governance, accountability, transparency, and social development. He cited Lagos State's open budget processes, town hall meetings, and consultations with CSOs on education, healthcare, transport, and environmental protection as models of citizen engagement. According to him, policies developed with public input are more sustainable. He expressed confidence in Nigeria's resilience, citing its youthful population, entrepreneurial spirit, and natural resources. The summit platform has 6,000 registered CSOs, CBOs, and NGOs, many implementing programmes aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The same government urging CSOs to reject foreign influence relies on international partners for major economic reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda. Sanwo-Olu praises patriotic advocacy while operating a state budget shaped by IMF policy conditions unknown to most Lagos citizens. If foreign alignment undermines national loyalty in civil society, the same standard must apply to executive actions. The expectation of patriotism from CSOs without reciprocal transparency from government sets a one-sided precedent.
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