Isiyaku Ahmed
A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations (CSOs) has issued a strong warning that the country is “on the brink of collapse,” calling for urgent and decisive action to address worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and governance failures.
In a joint statement titled “The State of the Nigerian Nation: A Call to Action,” issued on Tuesday, the Coalition said they were compelled to speak out as non-partisan advocates for democracy, human rights, and good governance amid growing concerns over the direction of the country.
The CSOs painted a grim picture of daily life across Nigeria, highlighting the widening gap between government revenue and citizens’ welfare.
The Coalition cited examples of displaced farmers in Zamfara struggling in camps, rising transportation costs burdening workers in Abuja, and families in Lagos skipping meals to meet basic expenses.
Despite record revenues following recent economic reforms such as subsidy removal and currency adjustments, the CSOs noted that federal budgets have exceeded N100 trillion in the past two years, yet living conditions for ordinary Nigerians have continued to deteriorate.
Rising Insecurity, Economic Strain
The coalition identified insecurity as a major national crisis, pointing to persistent killings, abductions, and displacement across the North and Middle Belt.
According to the statement, entire communities have been abandoned, while weak coordination and lack of political will have hindered effective security responses.
They also warned that rural banditry has disrupted agricultural activities, contributing to food shortages and rising inflation, which they said now exceeds 15 percent.
The situation, they added, has left millions of Nigerians facing hunger.
Kidnapping was described as a “nationwide industry,” affecting schoolchildren, commuters, and rural dwellers alike, with ransom payments increasingly becoming the only means of securing freedom.
Concerns Over Governance and Democracy
The CSOs further decried shrinking civic space, alleging that journalists and activists face harassment, while peaceful protests are often suppressed. They warned that such trends pose a threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
On governance, the coalition accused public officials of mismanaging resources, noting that despite large budgetary allocations, infrastructure, healthcare, and education systems remain in poor condition.
They also raised concerns about the integrity of the judiciary, alleging political interference and delayed justice, which they said have eroded public confidence.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the organisations warned against the growing influence of money politics and the manipulation of democratic institutions, stressing that these trends could undermine the country’s stability.
Demands for Immediate Action
The coalition outlined several key demands, including the need for government to translate increased revenues into tangible improvements in citizens’ lives through job creation, social protection, affordable healthcare, and food security.
They also called for strengthened security coordination, enhanced intelligence gathering, and community-focused protection strategies to address violence and criminality.
On corruption, the groups urged authorities to ensure transparent public spending and swift prosecution of offenders, while advocating reforms to safeguard electoral integrity and internal party democracy ahead of 2027.
Additionally, they demanded the protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and the safety of journalists and civil society actors.
Call for Leadership and Accountability
In a concluding remark, the CSOs stressed that Nigerians are bearing the consequences of what they described as “political excesses,” warning that continued inaction could deepen the nation’s crisis.
“Every naira of public money must be felt in the life of the ordinary citizen; anything less is betrayal,” the statement said.
They maintained that the time for excuses is over, urging leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens and place national interest above politics.
Endorsed by
- 21st Century Community Empowerment for Youth Initiative
- ActionAid Nigeria
- Accountability Lab, Nigeria
- Abuja School of Social and Political Thought
- Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)
- African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD)
- African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
- Africa Law Foundation
- Alliance on Surviving COVID 19 and Beyond (AACAB)
- Amnesty International Nigeria
- Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP)
- BudgIT Foundation
- Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity
- Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD)
- Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT)
- Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)
- Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)
- Centre for Transparency Advocacy
- Centre for Social Justice
- Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
- Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR)
- Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA)
- Emma Ezeazu Centre for Good Governance and Accountability24.
- FixPolitics
- Girl Child Concern (GCC)
- Global Rights
- Good Governance Team
- Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
- Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre)
- Koyenum Immalah Foundation
- Media Rights Agenda
- Mothers and Marginalized Advocacy Centre (MAMA Centre)
- Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN)
- Partners West Africa Nigeria
- Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA)
- PRAWA International
- Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative
- Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED)
- RULAAC – Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre
- Say NO Campaign – Nigeria
- Social Action
- Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)
- Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC)
- State of the Union (SOTU)
- Tax Justice and Governance Platform
- Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)
- WACSI NODE Nigeria
- Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM)
- Yiaga Africa
- Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)
