Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Abia State, operating under the umbrella of Abia State CSO Champions, have launched a coordinated six-month advocacy and capacity-building campaign aimed at institutionalizing the Civil Society Organisation Self-Regulation Framework (CSO-SRF) in Abia State.
The launch followed their active participation in the South-East Regional Capacity Development Training on CSO Self-Regulation, organized by the Ethics and Good Leadership Awareness Initiative (EGLAI) in partnership with the EU CSO Strengthening Bridge Project (EU CSO Bridge).
The project implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), held in Enugu from January 21 to 22, 2026.
Piloting the Abia State CSO Champions are African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) as the lead organisation, Vivacious Development Initiative (VIDI), Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Society for Human Rights Advocacy and Development (SOHAD), Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative (YSAD), and Jovian Youth Education & Leadership Development Initiative (JELDI), with media partnership support from the Business Day Media.
At a step-down meeting in Aba, Abia State, the participants described the Enugu training as timely and strategic, noting that the adoption of CSO self-regulation remains a critical pathway for strengthening accountability, transparency, ethical leadership, public trust, and coordinated advocacy within the civil society sector.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Lead Representative, Amaka Biachi, stated that the initiative would deepen institutional integrity within the sector. She further asserts that
“Self-regulation is not an attempt to shield civil society from scrutiny; rather, it is a bold commitment to transparency, accountability, professionalism and public service. Our collective resolve is to entrench ethical standards that will enhance the credibility and effectiveness of CSOs in Abia State,” she said.
The group disclosed that a six-month strategic work plan has been adopted, including sensitisation and public awareness, policy advocacy, step-down training, monitoring and evaluation.
“Key planned activities include statewide CSO engagements, periodic media publications, radio programmes, advocacy visits and letters to government and regulatory agencies, step-down trainings for grassroots CSOs and continuous stakeholder dialogues. These efforts are aimed at promoting compliance with the CSO Self-Regulation Framework and advancing the harmonization of CSO registration and operational standards,” Biachi noted.
According to Okoye, Chuka Peter, of CEHRAWS, harmonizing regulatory frameworks would significantly reduce bureaucratic barriers and promote operational efficiency across the sector.
He insisted that “A coordinated regulatory environment will eliminate duplications, reduce institutional friction, and allow CSOs to focus more on service delivery, accountability, and development impact.”
The Abia State CSO Champions further announced the establishment of a state-level platform for CSO self-regulation compliance, designed to serve as a coordination, accountability, peer-learning and advocacy hub for civil society organisations in Abia State.
The group commended EGLAI, led by Dr. Harry Udoh, alongside the EU CSO Bridge Project and International IDEA, for convening the regional intervention, describing it as a significant boost to civil society credibility and democratic governance in Nigeria. Special appreciation was also extended to the programme coordination team for their professionalism and effective delivery.
They reaffirmed their commitment to ethical leadership, institutional accountability and the protection of civic space, while pledging sustained collaboration with government institutions, development partners, the media, and community stakeholders.
