Nigeria, May 15 -- Introduction

The contemporary African development landscape presents profound challenges for civil society organisations (CSOs). Across the continent, organisations working on democracy, governance, accountability, gender justice, public finance management, human rights, poverty reduction, and citizen participation are confronted by a shrinking civic space, declining donor support, weak institutional systems, rising authoritarian tendencies, and increasing public distrust. In many African countries, including Nigeria, CSOs remain indispensable actors in deepening democracy, advocating for social justice, providing humanitarian services, and amplifying the voices of the poor and excluded. Yet, paradoxically, many of the...