Tinubu Calls for CSOs to Reject Foreign Influence

On Wednesday, during a summit with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Lagos, President Bola Tinubu called for a rejection of harmful foreign influences and urged CSOs to align with the government's development agenda. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing Nigeria's national interest and encouraged CSOs to move beyond being perceived as critics to becoming active partners in promoting sustainable development, good governance, and poverty reduction.

Tinubu acknowledged the contributions of civil society during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted key areas for collaboration, including food security, job creation, and climate-smart agriculture. He warned against accepting foreign funding that could undermine Nigeria's sovereignty and urged CSOs to maintain ethical standards to avoid infiltration by untrustworthy actors.

The summit aimed to strengthen partnerships between the government, civil society, and the private sector to improve service delivery and public confidence in governance.