Ogun Civil Society Groups Reject Multiple Levies and Regulations, Call for a Unified Regulatory Framework

Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ogun State have condemned the multiple levies, overlapping regulatory requirements, and duplication of the registration process imposed by federal and state agencies.

The CSOs urged the government to harmonise all regulations that affect their operations.

They also called on the Ogun State government to eliminate policies that commercialise their work and to engage in dialogue with them on matters that impact the civic space and the non‑profit sector.

The societies’ self‑regulatory Community of Practice (CoP) expressed its displeasure with the situation on Tuesday during a media briefing on Civil Society Self‑Regulatory Compliance in Abeokuta.

Addressing journalists, Akinpelu Akintayo, a member of the CoP, stressed that, as representatives of citizens’ interests, CSOs play a significant role in monitoring public service delivery, advocating for vulnerable populations, and supporting government efforts to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

He criticised persistent misconceptions that CSOs operate without regulation, the multiple registrations, renewals, and fees, and urged government regulatory bodies—especially the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)—to adopt efficient, supportive, and digital‑friendly systems that ease compliance rather than hinder their work.

“Driving accountability and good governance by purging our sector of irregularities and boosting our internal compliance structures, COs in Ogun State are positioning themselves from a position of strength,” Akintayo said.

“A self‑compliant civil society has the moral authority to demand transparency from the Ogun State Government; hence a vibrant civil society sector remains essential to good governance, democratic participation, and sustainable development.”

“We believe that strengthening compliance with existing regulations, rather than creating additional layers of regulation, is the most effective approach to promoting accountability while preserving the civic space necessary for CSOs to contribute meaningfully to development in Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole,” Akintayo added.

Meanwhile, the CoP urged all civic organizations operating within the state to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements and to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

They also called for self‑regulatory initiatives, capacity‑building programmes, and the promotion of responsible and ethical practices that strengthen public trust in the sector.