Introduction

On the 8th and 9th of November, 2023, at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, over 100 Civil Society Organization (CSOs) representatives attended the two-day “National Conference on CSO Operational Environment in Nigeria.” CSOPrep, an initiative of Cloneshouse, was also invited to exhibit at that conference. From this two-day event, two distinct key conversations were gleaned; 

i) The imperative need for increased Civil Society Organization (CSO) compliance and

ii) Sustainability for CSOs. 

In this piece, I will touch on these two key themes.

i) The Imperative Need for Increased Civil Society Organization (CSO) Compliance.

In the maiden edition of the National Conference for CSOs, it was observed that the operational environment for CSOs in Nigeria has been challenging, with numerous legal and regulatory barriers that impede their effectiveness and compliance, which is why this second edition of the conference aims to address these challenges and explore ways to create an enabling regulatory environment that empowers CSOs to thrive, maximise their impact and remain compliant. 

Addressing compliance challenges, it has been observed that CSOs may not be fully compliant due to a lack of knowledge regarding the necessary steps and requirements. This underscores the critical need for knowledge-sharing initiatives and resource accessibility to empower CSOs with the information they require to meet and maintain compliance standards on how to be compliant. 

Damilare Babalola, the National Programme Manager, Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (EU-ACT) Programme, stated as an opening remark the need to see buoyant discussions from the players and actors in the Civil Society Organization space. Robust discussions that would lead to definite action in the space to ensure that CSOs can benefit through collaboration and enabling regulations.  

As a legal practitioner, delving into the Team Lead Juritrust Centre for Socio-Legal Research and Documentation- Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, SAN’s keynote speech on the “Nonprofit Regulatory Framework in Nigeria” offered a unique lens. His elucidation of the ambiguities within laws like the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), particularly concerning annual remissions for entities like NGOs and CSOs, underscored the complexities encountered in interpreting and ensuring compliance within the existing regulatory framework. 

The Panel discussion on “Regulating CSOs Operations in Nigeria” had 7 speakers, including representatives from civil societies, regulatory bodies, and development partners with Barr. Ayo Adebusoye, Secretary General, NNNGO as its moderator. The question of whether or not current regulations are sufficiently addressing concerns on both ends was discussed with the members of various coalitions expressing their discontent with the current legislation in that it has done nothing but overburden the good people of CSOs who want to do nothing but help. Jinjirin Garba, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, said that for CSOs to thrive, the government must be willing to meet its players in the middle for fruitful collaborations to the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians at large. Representatives from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML) went into breaking down some of its legal provisions as it relates to CSOs while also assuring them that the government is happy to work with CSOs to ensure a better Nigeria. 

Mrs. Ibinabo Amachree, the Assistant Director of the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), made some suggestions that she believes would further contribute to making CSOs compliant: 

 

ii) Sustainability for CSOs.  

Reflecting on the conference’s second day, the Panel session on “Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Sustainability” provided valuable insights. The Project Manager, Civil Society, Human Rights and Youth Governance, Peace and Migration Section, Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria & ECOWAS- Wynfred Achu-Egbuson’s emphasis on investing in manpower and knowledge management highlighted the indispensable role of skilled staff in ensuring the enduring impact of CSOs. And the Divisional Head Business Support Services Division, Nigeria Exchange Limited (NGX),- Dr Irene Robinson-Ayanwale’s FCAI, FCMR perspective on the significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) structures added a crucial dimension. Her emphasis on ESG criteria as a measure of the ethical and societal impact of CSOs underscored the evolving landscape of compliance and accountability. In her words, CSOs need to show themselves ready for operation, and one key ingredient to doing that is the presence of  Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) structures. ESG principles are not just checkboxes but strategic tools for securing funding and showcasing a commitment to ethical practices. The convergence of ESG and CSOs signals a paradigm shift towards responsible and sustainable organizational practices.

In essence, ensuring compliance is crucial for the legitimacy of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The dynamic journey of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) demands a proactive approach to grasping their role, ensuring compliance, and fostering sustainability. As central figures in societal transformation, CSOs hold significant influence, and the key to ensuring this sustainability is employing ESG structures. CSOPrep stands out as a catalyst for transformative change, aiding CSOs on their path to enhanced compliance.

We’d love to hear your reflections on this narrative. If you’re eager to bolster your compliance efforts, contact CSOPrep at https://www.csoprep.org/contact-us/. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together!

CSOPrep as a Catalyst for Transformative Change