By Nkechi Eze
A coalition of 52 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has raised alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security, economic hardship, and governance challenges, warning that the country is “on the brink of collapse” if urgent and responsible leadership is not demonstrated.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the groups, which described themselves as non-partisan advocates for democracy, human rights, and good governance, called for collective national action to address escalating insecurity, deepening poverty, and what they described as moral decay in public life.
The organisations said that across the country, ordinary citizens are struggling to survive while political leaders remain focused on rhetoric and power struggles.
According to the coalition, the realities facing many Nigerians illustrate the widening gap between government prosperity and citizens’ hardship. They cited the plight of displaced farmers in Zamfara who now survive in squalid camps, a teacher in Abuja who reportedly spends half her income on transportation, and families in Lagos skipping meals to afford rent.
Despite these conditions, the groups noted that federal, state, and local governments continue to record unprecedented revenues and allocations.
They argued that politics has become Nigeria’s most profitable enterprise, even as the country faces mounting socio-economic challenges. The statement pointed out that policies such as the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira, and rising public debt have significantly increased government revenue.
The coalition observed that federal budgets in the past two years have exceeded ₦100 trillion, surpassing the cumulative total of budgets between 1999 and 2017.
However, the CSOs said Nigerians have yet to see tangible improvements in public services, noting that inequality continues to widen while living conditions worsen for ordinary citizens.
The groups highlighted several critical concerns confronting the country, including widespread insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, shrinking civic space, corruption, economic hardship, threats to democracy ahead of the 2027 elections, and declining public trust in the judiciary.
They warned that killings, abductions, and displacement have become common across several regions, particularly in the North and the Middle Belt, where entire communities have reportedly been abandoned due to insecurity.
The coalition further stated that rural banditry has disrupted farming activities and food supply chains, contributing to rising inflation and growing hunger across the country.
Kidnapping, they added, has evolved into a nationwide criminal enterprise affecting both rural and urban areas, with citizens increasingly forced to rely on ransom payments to secure the safety of loved ones.
The groups also expressed concern over what they described as a shrinking civic space, alleging that journalists, activists, and peaceful protesters increasingly face harassment, threats, and intimidation.
According to them, corruption remains deeply entrenched in governance, draining public resources while basic infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and schools remain in poor condition.
They also warned that economic policies and rising inflation have worsened inequality, pushing more Nigerians into poverty despite the increase in government revenue.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the CSOs cautioned that political actors appear more focused on succession battles than addressing the immediate needs of citizens.
They warned that the manipulation of political institutions, combined with the influx of illicit funds into politics, could undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and destabilise the country’s future.
The coalition also raised concerns about declining confidence in the judiciary, warning that delays in justice and perceived political interference in court processes have weakened public trust in the justice system.
To address the situation, the organisations called for urgent and comprehensive reforms aimed at restoring confidence in governance and improving the lives of Nigerians.
They urged the government to convert record revenues into tangible benefits for citizens through social protection programmes, job creation, accessible healthcare, and affordable food.
They also called for stronger coordination of national security efforts, improved intelligence capabilities, and prioritisation of community protection to tackle the country’s security crisis.
The groups further demanded decisive action against corruption, including swift prosecution of offenders, greater transparency in public spending, and stronger ethical standards in governance.
In addition, they called for measures to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, including ending the politicisation of institutions, strengthening political finance regulations, implementing electoral reforms before the 2027 elections, and ensuring internal democracy within political parties.
The coalition also urged authorities to respect fundamental rights and freedoms by protecting journalists, activists, and citizens who express dissenting views.
They further called for urgent steps to restore trust in the judiciary by guaranteeing its independence, ensuring timely delivery of judgments, and improving access to justice for ordinary Nigerians.
“Nigerians are paying the price of political excesses,” the groups said, warning that leadership must shift its focus from politics to addressing the nation’s urgent challenges.
They emphasised that every naira of public funds should translate into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives, adding that anything less would amount to a betrayal of public trust.
The coalition said it stands in solidarity with Nigerians facing hunger, insecurity, and uncertainty, stressing that the country must choose humanity, justice, and good governance over politics and excuses.
The organisations that signed the statement include:
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 Accountability
#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)
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
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)
