CSOs decry deepening insecurity, rising poverty

A coalition of 52 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Tuesday expressed grave concerns over Nigeria’s worsening socio-economic and security conditions, warning that the country is “on the brink of collapse” if urgent and decisive actions are not taken by leaders at all levels of government.

In a strongly worded ‘Joint Civil Society statement on the State of the Nigerian nation: A call to action by Nigerian Civil Society Organisations’, the Groups—acting as non-partisan advocates for democracy, human rights, and good governance, called for immediate reforms to address what they described as deepening insecurity, rising poverty, and a growing erosion of public trust in governance.

Some members of the Coalition include: BudgIT Foundation, Amnesty International Nigeria, Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Centre for Social Justice, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Say NO Campaign – Nigeria, Social Action, #FixPolitics, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), ActionAid Nigeria and Accountability Lab, Nigeria.

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While warning that “Nigeria is on the brink of collapse”, the Coalition expressed grief over the plight of Nigerians across the country.

“Across the country, citizens count losses while politicians trade rhetoric. In Zamfara, displaced farmers now live on crumbs in squalid camps. In Abuja, a teacher spends half her income on transportation. In Lagos, families skip meals to pay rent. Yet, federal, state, and local governments continue to enjoy record revenues and allocations.

“Politics has become Nigeria’s biggest business, even as the country suffers. Removing subsidies, floating the naira, and increasing public debt have significantly boosted government revenue.

“In just the last two years, federal budgets have surpassed ₦100 trillion, exceeding the total of all budgets from 1999 to 2017. Nigerians see the numbers, but nothing has improved. Public services falter, inequality grows, and ordinary citizens become poorer while politicians get richer from larger allocations.”

While lamenting over the insecurity and violence across the country, the Coalition lamented that: “killings, abductions, and displacement have become commonplace. Entire communities across the North and Middle Belt are deserted. Security cooperation remains weak, and political will appears absent.”

“Banditry and food collapse: Rural banditry has devastated livelihoods, disrupted food supplies, and caused inflation to rise above 15%. Hunger looms over millions of homes while farms lie abandoned in fear.”

They also lamented over the kidnapping epidemic, stressing that from schoolchildren in Sokoto to commuters in Abuja, kidnapping has become a nationwide industry. Paying ransom has replaced access to safety.

The Coalition also expressed concern over the alleged shrinking of civic space, saying “Journalists face harassment, Activists face threats, and peaceful protesters are silenced. A democracy that fears its citizens is already in decline.”

In the same vein, the Groups frowned at the unabated corruption and governance breakdown, stressing that: “Entrenched graft continues to drain public resources. Citizens hear about trillion-naira budgets, yet roads stay impassable, hospitals are empty, and schools are in disrepair. Accountability has been replaced by excuses.

“Economic hardship and inequality: Despite increasing government revenue, the economy still harms the poor. Inflation, unemployment, and currency instability have worsened inequality. Poverty has become Nigeria’s most noticeable institution.”

The Groups also highlighted THREATS to democracy and the 2027 elections, noting that “Politicians focus on succession battles while citizens struggle for survival. The manipulation of political systems and the erosion of trust threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and future stability. The inability to curb the influx of illicit funds into the political space.”

“Eroded judicial credibility: Justice delayed or influenced is justice denied. Political interference in courts has eroded the judiciary’s former trust.”

While noting that Nigerians deserve relief, justice, and dignity, not just slogans, the Coalition called for urgent action from the government and its institutions, by delivering “economic justice: convert record revenues into tangible improvements: social protection, job creation, accessible healthcare, and affordable food.

“Restore security and humanity: coordinate national security efforts, enhance intelligence capabilities, and make community protection a clear, measurable priority.

“End corruption without exception: prosecute offenders swiftly, disclose public spending transparently, and restore ethics in governance.

“Defend democracy from being hijacked: end the politicization of institutions, establish political finance integrity mechanisms, ensure electoral reforms before 2027, and maintain internal party democracy.

“Uphold rights and freedoms: respect dissent, protect journalists and activists, and defend civic space from intimidation.

“Urgently rebuild trust in the judiciary: guarantee independence, deliver timely judgments, and make justice accessible to all citizens.

“Nigerians are paying the price of political excesses. Leadership cannot continue politicking while the nation bleeds. Every Naira of public money must be felt in the life of the ordinary citizen; anything less is betrayal.

“We stand with every Nigerian facing hunger, insecurity, and hopelessness. We stand for justice, equity, and good governance. The time for excuses is over; Nigeria must choose humanity over politics,” the groups stressed.