NGOs Must Return to Their Core Mandate of Community Development, Civic Engagement, and Accountability
June 16th 2026
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads in its development journey. While the nation possesses enormous human and natural resources, millions of citizens continue to grapple with poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate access to quality education and healthcare, and limited economic opportunities. These challenges demand not only government intervention but also a renewed commitment from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), faith-based institutions, and active citizens across the country.
Today, more than ever before, NGOs must return to their core mandate of community development, civic engagement, citizen empowerment, and accountability advocacy. The role of civil society extends far beyond project implementation and donor-funded activities. NGOs were established to serve as the voice of vulnerable populations, the bridge between government and citizens, and the catalyst for sustainable grassroots development.
The growing insecurity across Nigeria further underscores the urgency of this responsibility. Recent security reports indicate that within a single week, over fifty attacks and abductions were recorded across various parts of the country. Communities continue to face threats from banditry, kidnapping, violent crimes, and communal conflicts, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of families, disruption of economic activities, and growing fear among citizens. There as not been a single day we don’t ear of killing, kidnapping, demanding of ramson for the kidnaped victims and i wounder if this set of hooligans are ghost or spirit that could not be traced with the high profile of our security agencies.
A ricing concern and fear it’s the tragic incident in Ahoro-Esinele Community of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed gunmen reportedly attacked schools and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers, this is an incident that happened during the school hours. The incident, which drew national attention, highlighted the increasing vulnerability of educational institutions and rural communities to criminal activities. Equally troubling are the kidnapping incidents reported along the Ibadan-Ijebu Ode corridor and other parts of Oyo State, exposing the security risks faced daily by travelers and residents. I keep thinking, where have we gone wrong as human who are supposed to be our brothers’ keepers and turn into items of negotiation bid.
Hence, NO state is safe in Nigeria. Across the South-West region, including Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti States, communities have witnessed increasing incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, farmer-herder conflicts, and violent attacks. In the North-West, recurring bandit attacks in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Sokoto continue to devastate rural livelihoods, claim innocent lives, and worsen economic hardship.
These realities should serve as a wake-up call to the civil society community. The time has come for NGOs to move beyond conference halls, workshops, and policy discussions and become more deeply embedded within the communities they serve. Civil society organizations must be visible, active, and impactful at the grassroots level where the effects of poverty, insecurity, and poor governance are most profoundly felt.
Many Nigerians remain disconnected from governance processes. While citizens frequently express frustration over poor infrastructure, insecurity, unemployment, and lack of basic services, many are unaware of the tools available to hold leaders accountable or participate meaningfully in governance. This gap presents a significant opportunity and responsibility for NGOs and CSOs.
As a Civil society, we must intensify community sensitization and civic education campaigns that empower the people with knowledge of their constitutional rights and responsibilities. NGOs should organize town hall meetings, community dialogues, accountability forums, leadership engagement sessions, voter education programs, budget tracking initiatives, and social accountability campaigns that encourage constructive engagement between citizens and public institutions.
The future of Nigeria cannot be built on a culture of blame. Accountability must begin at every level of governance. While national leadership plays a critical role in shaping policy direction, citizens must equally engage their governors, state legislators, local government chairmen, councillors, members of the House of Representatives, and Senators on issues directly affecting their communities.
Communities should be encouraged to ask critical questions:
What development projects have been attracted to our communities?
How are public funds and constituency allocations being utilized?
What specific measures are being implemented to address insecurity?
What interventions exist to reduce poverty and create employment opportunities?
How are elected representatives engaging with their constituents?
What progress has been made in education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure development?
These are not political questions; they are democratic questions. Accountability is not confrontation. Accountability is a fundamental pillar of democracy and good governance. Public office holders are elected to serve the people and should welcome constructive engagement, citizen participation, and transparent evaluation of their performance.
The National NGO Conference 2026 as therefore call on all NGOs, CBOs, CSOs, youth organizations, women’s groups, professional associations, traditional institutions, faith-based organizations, development partners, and community leaders to recommit themselves to building stronger communities and a stronger nation.
We urge NGOs across Nigeria to reposition themselves as active agents of change by prioritizing community mobilization, civic education, social accountability, peacebuilding, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship development, policy advocacy, and citizen participation initiatives. The strength of civil society is not measured by the number of projects implemented but by the positive transformation achieved within communities.
Nigeria’s development challenges are too significant for government alone to solve. Sustainable progress requires a partnership between government, citizens, civil society, traditional institutions, the private sector, and development partners. Every stakeholder has a role to play in advancing peace, prosperity, accountability, and inclusive development.
As preparations continue for the National NGO Conference, Dinner and Award Night 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting community-driven development, strengthening democratic participation, empowering active citizenship, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders committed to national progress.
The future of Nigeria lies not in blame, division, or passivity, but in collective responsibility, active citizenship, accountable leadership, and vibrant civil society institutions working together to build safer, more prosperous, and more resilient communities.
Signed:
Aina Oladipo Michael
Founder, Step Entrepreneurship and Community Development Initiative (SECDI)
Convener, National NGO Conference 2026