Nigeria on the Brink of Collapse, Warns Coalition of Civil Society Groups

Civil society groups in Nigeria have raised a serious alarm, asserting that the nation is dangerously close to collapse. On Tuesday, these organisations presented a comprehensive list of alleged leadership failures that have profoundly affected citizens, pushing Nigeria to a critical point.

They expressed strong disapproval of the government's handling of escalating insecurity, severe economic difficulties, pervasive corruption, the shrinking of civic space, a compromised judiciary, and the erosion of a multi-party democratic system. The groups are demanding immediate and decisive action from the government and its various institutions.

This collective outcry follows a series of recent attacks in Borno, Plateau, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and Benue states, which resulted in numerous fatalities and widespread abductions.

Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million, faces a situation where more than half of its citizens endure multidimensional poverty, lacking essential access to food, shelter, and education. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has exacerbated economic woes, leading to sharp increases in fuel prices, which in turn has driven up transportation and food costs.

Recent protests across the country highlight the public's distress over the worsening conditions. In Edo State, for instance, youths demonstrated by blocking the Benin-Lagos highway to protest the surge in petrol prices, erratic power supply, poor road infrastructure, and the high cost of food items.

As the 2027 general elections approach, concerns are mounting over alleged government efforts to suppress opposition voices, transition Nigeria into a one-party state, and undermine democratic principles. However, government officials have consistently denied these allegations.

The civil society coalition, in a statement released Tuesday titled ‘A Call to Action by Nigerian Civil Society Organisations’ and endorsed by 52 groups, echoed these deep-seated concerns and urged the government to reconsider its current trajectory.

Prominent organisations such as ActionAid Nigeria, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Yiaga Africa, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) were among the signatories. They argued that many politicians are enriching themselves at the expense of the general populace's well-being.

The statement articulated, “Nigeria is on the brink of collapse. We, the undersigned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), acting as non-partisan advocates for democracy, human rights, and good governance, issue this urgent plea for responsible leadership and collective action to save our nation from escalating insecurity, rising poverty, and moral decay in public life.

“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.”

They further asserted that politics has become Nigeria’s primary business, with the nation suffering despite significant increases in government revenue derived from the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, all while public debt continues to rise.

The organisations pointed out that federal budgets have collectively exceeded N100 trillion in the last two years, surpassing the combined total of all budgets from 1999 to 2017. However, this has not led to tangible improvements for Nigerians, who only observe the figures without experiencing positive change.

“Public services falter, inequality grows, and ordinary citizens become poorer while politicians get richer from larger allocations,” they added.

The CSOs highlighted eight critical areas of concern: pervasive insecurity and violence; banditry leading to food system collapse; a widespread kidnapping epidemic; constriction of the civic space; rampant corruption and governance breakdown; severe economic hardship and growing inequality; threats to democracy and the upcoming 2027 elections; and the diminished credibility of the judiciary.

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

“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. 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 statement elaborated.

They lamented that politicians are preoccupied with succession plans while citizens struggle for basic survival, warning that “the manipulation of political systems and the erosion of trust threaten Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and future stability.”

“Justice delayed or influenced is justice denied. Political interference in courts has eroded the judiciary’s former trust,” the groups concluded.

CSOs Outline Demands

The civil society organisations affirmed that Nigerians are entitled to relief, justice, and dignity, and they implored the government and its institutions to take immediate action.

They demanded economic justice by urging the government to translate record revenues into concrete improvements such as social protection programs, job creation initiatives, accessible healthcare services, and affordable food supplies.

Furthermore, they called for robust, coordinated national security operations, enhanced intelligence gathering capabilities, and a steadfast commitment to community protection.

The groups also advocated for an end to corruption, the swift prosecution of those found guilty, transparent disclosure of public expenditures, and the re- establishment of ethical standards in governance.

Additionally, the civil society urged the government to “defend democracy from being hijacked: end the politicisation 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.”

They concluded that the Nigerian populace bears the brunt of political mismanagement, arguing that leadership cannot continue to prioritize politics while the nation is in crisis. They stressed that every public fund must demonstrably benefit ordinary citizens, considering anything less a 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 statement declared.

Reason for Intervention – Rafsanjani

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, one of the participating CSOs, explained to Daily Trust that the organisations felt compelled to speak out due to the “deteriorating condition” of governance in Nigeria.

He stated that this intervention was deemed necessary in light of growing concerns over democratic regression, persistent insecurity, and the apparent breakdown of critical infrastructure, particularly within the power sector.

“Civil society, being the conscience of society, had to come out at this time because of the deteriorating condition in Nigeria, whether in terms of democratic baselining, insecurity, or the collapse of infrastructure,” Rafsanjani commented.

Rafsanjani expressed dismay over the continuous killings and attacks across the country, including incidents affecting students, noting that inadequate measures have been taken to address these issues.

He accused political figures of prioritizing power struggles over effective governance, alleging that Nigerians are left to contend with violence and economic hardship.

“There is too much focus by politicians on capturing and retaining power, while Nigerians continue to live in misery amid violent attacks and killings,” he added.

The CISLAC Executive Director also voiced concerns about actions that could potentially undermine Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, specifically citing allegations that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might be contemplating measures that could prevent a major opposition party from participating in future elections.

He warned that such actions could severely damage public confidence in the electoral system and further weaken trust in democratic institutions.

“Nigeria has already lost significant confidence in INEC’s ability to conduct free, fair and credible elections. Any attempt to sideline major opposition parties will only worsen the situation,” he stated.

Rafsanjani urged INEC to uphold its constitutional duties by ensuring impartiality, transparency, and fairness throughout the electoral process.

He also implored the electoral commission to resist any external influences that might compromise its independence, especially as preparations for the 2027 elections gain momentum.

“It is important that INEC does not allow any forces to prevent it from carrying out its responsibilities. Nigerians must be assured that elections will be credible and that all legitimate political parties will be given a level playing field,” he emphasized.

He further indicated that civil society groups would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and advocate for reforms aimed at strengthening democracy and safeguarding citizens' rights.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Presidency regarding the CSOs' demands were unsuccessful. Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, and Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, were unavailable for comment when contacted.

Messages sent to both officials, including via WhatsApp, remained unanswered at the time of reporting.

Lack of Justification for Economic Hardship

Dr. Seyid Hassan Cisse, a political analyst and lecturer in Politics and Governance at Kwara State University, stated that there is no reasonable justification for the current economic difficulties faced by Nigerians, especially with another election cycle on the horizon.

He explained that the deteriorating economic situation, characterized by rising fuel prices and escalating costs of consumer goods, is making survival increasingly challenging for the average citizen.

“There is absolutely no rational justification for the state of the economy, especially when we are preparing for campaigns. It is uncalled for. The price of petrol is alarming, and the cost of goods is becoming unbearable everywhere. The average Nigerian cannot survive under these conditions,” he asserted.

Cisse observed that in most democratic systems, governments typically implement measures to alleviate citizens' burdens as elections approach. However, he noted that Nigeria appears to be heading in the opposite direction.

“In a system where votes truly count, leaders should not wait to be told before they act. Governance should naturally reflect the needs of the people, especially at a crucial time like this. Nigerians are tired. There has never been a time in our democratic history where economic conditions are this harsh so close to elections,” he added.

He urged the government to intervene urgently in the pricing of petrol. While acknowledging global economic pressures, Cisse stressed that authorities must mitigate the impact on citizens.

“I understand there are international factors such as exchange rates and global market forces, but the government must still act. Intervention must be deliberate and consistent to restore stability,” he advised.

The university lecturer also expressed concerns about security leading up to the elections, warning that existing challenges, coupled with election-related tensions, could pose significant risks.

“With elections fast approaching, insecurity remains a major concern. The government must ensure a safe and enabling environment for Nigerians to participate freely in the electoral process,” he stated.

Regarding the apparent disconnect between increased government revenue and the poor welfare of citizens, Cisse described the situation as troubling, noting that higher earnings by government entities have not translated into improved living standards.

“Government revenues appear to have increased, yet the people are still suffering. This points to a deeper issue in policy implementation,” he observed.

Drawing from principles of political economy, he explained that effective economic stabilization requires a combination of monetary, fiscal, and impact- focused policies, highlighting that the latter is often overlooked.

“Monetary and fiscal policies are being implemented, but there is little attention to their actual impact on citizens. Government must assess whether these policies are improving lives,” he noted.

He further characterized the current inflationary trend as severe, warning that policies must be people-centric and responsive to societal realities.

“Policies must be socially friendly and life-impacting. The government must look back, review its strategies and ensure citizens are truly benefiting. Nigerians are aggrieved. People are not happy,” Cisse concluded.