“Nigeria on the brink of collapse under Tinubu” – 52 civil society organisations raise alarm

A coalition of 52 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has warned that Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, urging the administration of President Bola Tinubu to improve the quality of governance.

The groups called for urgent and responsible leadership as well as collective action to address escalating insecurity, rising poverty and declining public trust in governance.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the CSOs said citizens across the country are bearing the brunt of worsening economic and security conditions while political leaders focus on rhetoric.

The statement was signed by several organisations including Yiaga Africa, ActionAid, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Democratic Research and Training (CRDDERT), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and Centre for Transparency Advocacy.

Other signatories include Centre for Social Justice, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), #FixPolitics, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), Media Rights Agenda, Organisation for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN), Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), Social Action, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), and Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC).

The CSOs said many Nigerians are struggling with rising living costs despite increased government revenue.

Part of the statement read: “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.”

The groups said government revenues have increased significantly following policy changes such as subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.

“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,” they lamented.

The coalition said federal budgets in the past two years have exceeded ₦100 trillion, surpassing the combined budgets recorded between 1999 and 2017.

The CSOs said the increase in government spending has not translated into improved living conditions for citizens.

“Nigerians see the numbers but nothing has improved as public services falter, inequality grows, and ordinary citizens become poorer while politicians get richer from larger allocations,” the groups said.

On insecurity, the groups said killings, kidnappings and displacement have become widespread across several regions.

“Killings, abductions, and displacement have become commonplace. Entire communities across the North and Middle Belt are deserted.

“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.

“From schoolchildren in Sokoto to commuters in Abuja, kidnapping has become a nationwide industry. Paying ransom has replaced access to safety,” they stated.

The coalition also raised concerns about shrinking civic space and threats to democratic freedoms, even as they warned that corruption continues to undermine governance and public accountability.

They said: “Journalists face harassment, activists face threats and peaceful protesters are silenced. A democracy that fears its citizens is already in decline.

“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 CSOs also warned that political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections could undermine democratic stability.

“The manipulation of political systems and the erosion of trust threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and future stability,” they said.

The coalition called on the government to take urgent action to address economic hardship, insecurity, corruption and democratic backsliding.

The groups urged the government to translate rising revenues into tangible improvements for citizens.

They also called for coordinated national security efforts and stronger intelligence systems to tackle insecurity.

“Restore security and humanity; coordinate national security efforts, enhance intelligence capabilities, and make community protection a clear, measurable priority,” the groups said.

The CSOs urged the government to intensify anti-corruption efforts and strengthen democratic institutions.

They also called for protection of civic freedoms and reforms to safeguard democracy ahead of the next general election.

The CSOs said Nigerians are paying the price of political excesses and urged leaders to prioritise citizens’ welfare.