Civil society organizations(CSOs) in Ogun State have decried the burden of multiple taxation, overlapping regulations, and repeated registration requirements enforced by federal and state government agencies.

The CSOs called on the government to streamline and align all regulations that impact their activities.

They also urged the Ogun State Government to discontinue policies that commercialize their operations and to engage in meaningful collaboration and dialogue with them on issues affecting the civic space and the non-profit sector.

The Society’s self-regulatory Community of Practice (CoP) yesterday expressed dissatisfaction with the situation during a media briefing on Civil Society Self-Regulatory Compliance held in Abeokuta.

Speaking to journalists, Akinpelu Akintayo, a member of CoP, emphasized that civil society organizations (CSOs), as representatives of citizens’ interests, play a vital role in monitoring public service delivery, advocating for vulnerable groups, and complementing government efforts toward achieving sustainable development goals.

He expressed concern over the persistent misconception that civil society organizations (CSOs) operate without oversight, highlighting the numerous registration requirements, renewals, and fees they must meet.

The member urged regulatory agencies, particularly the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), to implement more efficient, supportive, and digitally driven systems that facilitate compliance rather than impede CSO operations.

“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 vantage point of strength.”

“A self- complaint civi society has that 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 that 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.

He further charged  civic organizations operating in the state to comply with relevant laws and regulations and remain transparent and accountable in their activities.