At the 2nd National Conference on Civil Society Operational Environment, held under the theme ‘Sustaining Public Benefit from CSOs through Collaboration and Enabling Regulation’ in Abuja on Wednesday, stakeholders advised Civil Society Organizations to proactively engage with the new administration, especially lawmakers, to address legal and regulatory obstacles hindering their effectiveness.
The two-day event was organized by the CSO Accountability and Transparency Initiative and received funding from the European Union, British Council, and four other international organizations.
Ambassador Samuela Isopi, the Head of the EU delegation to Nigeria, emphasized the need for CSOs to work with lawmakers to create a conducive environment for civil activities. She stated that CSOs should expand their presence at both the national and sub-national levels, taking advantage of recent governmental changes and the inauguration of the 10th Assembly to set a collaborative agenda for future engagements.
Victor Chukwuemele, the Chairman of the House Committee on Civil Society and Development Matters, highlighted the crucial role played by civil society in national development. He encouraged CSOs to establish a cooperative relationship with the government and improve communication to facilitate the effective enactment of laws and policies concerning them.
Lois Auta, the Executive Director of the Cedar Seed Foundation, expressed concern about the denial of rights to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). She pointed out that the infrastructure in Nigeria often does not cater to the easy accessibility of PWDs, limiting their participation in national development.
Funke Akinleye, the Board Chairman of CATI, emphasized the importance of the conference in fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. She stated that the event would facilitate a shared understanding of the challenges, issues, gaps, and proposed solutions to create a more favorable regulatory environment for CSOs, ensuring adherence to best practices and ethical standards.
