By Saminu Zawa’i Mandawari
Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria have been urged to embrace effective self-regulation as a tool for strengthening accountability, credibility, and public trust.
The Independent Mirror reports that the call was made by the team lead of the Ethics and Good Leadership Awareness Initiative (EGLAI), Mr. Harry Udoh, during a two-day national capacity-building programme on Scaling the Adoption of CSO Self-Regulation in Nigeria, held in the North-West zone.
Speaking on the importance of self-regulation, Udoh explained that CSO self-regulation enables organizations to set and uphold their own ethical and governance standards without undue external interference.
According to EGLAI, this approach promotes transparency, professionalism, and responsible leadership within the civic space.
The EGLAI lead noted that weak internal governance structures and the absence of effective accountability mechanisms have, in some cases, undermined public confidence in civil society organizations.
He said self-regulation helps to address these challenges by encouraging CSOs to adopt clear codes of conduct, financial transparency measures, and strong internal accountability systems.
The organization also highlighted the role of hybrid self-regulation models, including internal controls, peer-learning platforms, and public accountability mechanisms, as practical strategies for improving CSO operations while maintaining institutional independence.
EGLAI emphasized that self-regulation should be voluntary, inclusive, and supportive rather than punitive, adding that capacity building and peer support are essential for grassroots organizations to successfully adopt these standards.
Our correspondent reports that the engagement brought together representatives of civil society organizations, stakeholders, and participants from across the region to share experiences and best practices on ethical leadership and self-regulation in Nigeria’s civic sector.
EGLAI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting ethical leadership and strengthening civil society through advocacy, awareness creation, and capacity-building initiatives.
