Civil society groups form coalition for participatory governance ahead of 2027 polls

Nine civil society and civic technology organisations have launched the Coalition for Participatory Governance (CPG), an initiative designed to bolster transparency, accountability, and service delivery across Nigeria, starting at the local government level.

The coalition is convened by the TriAfrica Empowerment Foundation and supported by BudgIT and Lagos Island Connect. Other participating groups include the Africa Leadership Group, The Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP), To Build a Nation (TBAN), Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), the Center for Fiscal Transparency, and the Nigeria Diaspora Coalition for Change (NDCC).

Addressing governance gaps
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the CPG aims to transform citizens from passive voters into active stakeholders in their communities. The group intends to achieve this through community empowerment, capacity building for local governments, and strategic engagement across national, state, and local tiers of government.

The initiative seeks to address the governance deficit that continues to affect the quality of life for Nigerians. By fostering a model where citizens are active participants, the coalition believes it can build a stronger foundation for national development.

Pilot project set for Lagos Island
The coalition is scheduled to hold its inaugural town hall meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The event will introduce the CPG’s governance agenda and facilitate dialogue on accountability challenges affecting Lagos Island and the broader Nigerian landscape.

Among the coalition’s immediate priorities is a pilot project on Lagos Island, developed in collaboration with BudgIT, Lagos Island Connect, and EiE Nigeria. This project will test new tools and approaches to improve citizen-facing accountability and local governance.

“This coalition is not just another alliance of organisations,” the founding partners stated. “It is a deliberate, structured effort to ensure that the people closest to governance failures—ordinary Nigerians in their wards—have the knowledge, tools, and collective voice to demand and sustain change.”

The CPG has invited members of the public, the media, community leaders, and government officials to attend the forthcoming town hall meeting.