Bolaji Obabiyi (intern)
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ogun State have called on the state government to harmonize regulatory requirements affecting nonprofit organizations and avoid policies that impose multiple registration and compliance obligations on the sector.
Penpushing reports that, Akintayo Akinpelu, a member steering committee made the call on Tuesday during a media briefing on Civil Society Self-Regulatory Compliance organized by the Civil Society Organizations Self-Regulatory Community of Practice (CoP), Ogun State, with support from Global Rights, held in Abeokuta.
The body in a statement jointly signed by Akinpelu and other members which include Adesina Adefolahan and Sola Afariogun said civil society organizations remain critical stakeholders in democratic governance, transparency advocacy, social welfare, and grassroots development, stressing that accountability within the sector must begin with self-compliance.
Penpushing further reports that he noted that while Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play significant roles in monitoring public service delivery, advocating for vulnerable populations and supporting development initiatives, organizations in the sector must also maintain high standards of transparency and integrity.
The group expressed concern over increasing perceptions that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operate without regulation, describing such claims as misleading, explaining that the organization, existing legal and institutional frameworks at both federal and state levels already provide substantial oversight for the establishment and operation of civil society organizations in Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that he highlighted several initiatives the Community of Practice (CoP) has undertaken to strengthen compliance among Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ogun State.
The steering committee member explained that these include capacity building for over 100 organizations on regulatory requirements, support for compliance with relevant laws, awareness creation on existing regulatory frameworks, policy advocacy, and promotion of voluntary self-regulation.
Penpushing reports that the group, however, identified several challenges confronting civil society organizations, including overlapping regulatory requirements from different government agencies, the commercialization of registration and renewal processes, and inadequate support mechanisms for grassroots organizations seeking to comply with regulations.
The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) consequently, called on the Ogun State Government to harmonize all regulatory requirements affecting the sector, eliminate duplication of registration processes, avoid excessive fees that could commercialize nonprofit operations, and strengthen dialogue with civil society on issues affecting the civic space.
Penpushing further reports that the organizations also urged regulatory agencies, particularly the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to maintain efficient, supportive and digitized compliance systems that encourage accountability without stifling civil society operations.
The steering committee member during an interactive session with journalists, explained that the initiative was designed to build the capacity of organizations and connect them with resources necessary to meet regulatory obligations.
Penpushing also reports that Akinpelu pointed out that all registered non-governmental organizations are required to file annual returns with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Community of Practice has been encouraging member organizations to remain compliant with such requirements.
The steering committee of the body emphasized that compliance efforts have helped distinguish legitimate organizations from individuals falsely presenting themselves as civil society groups.
“We are trying our best to ensure that organizations associated with us are compliant. Today, anyone can verify the status of an organization through the CAC portal and determine whether it is active or not,” he said.
Penpushing reports that Akinpelu argued that creating additional regulatory structures for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) would be unnecessary and burdensome, noting that agencies such as Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Financial Reporting Council, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) already perform oversight functions relating to registration, financial reporting, and accountability.
The group maintained that strengthening existing regulatory systems would be more effective than introducing new layers of regulation, however, the civil society advocate criticized the practice whereby organizations already registered by the federal government through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are required to undergo additional registration processes at the state level.
Penpushing further reports that Akinpelu said such duplication creates unnecessary administrative burdens and distracts organizations from their core mandates of serving communities and promoting development.
The Community of Practice reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, transparency and ethical practices within the civil society sector, emphasizing that self-regulation remains a proactive mechanism for preserving public trust and enhancing the sector’s contribution to good governance and sustainable development.
Penpushing also reports that Akinpelu stated that the self-compliant civil society possesses the moral authority to demand transparency and accountability from government institutions while continuing to serve as a vital partner in advancing democratic participation and development in Ogun State.
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