President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, called for patriotism, accountability and inclusive partnerships to accelerate Nigeria’s sustainable development.

They stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government, civil society, and community-based organisations.

Tinubu appealed during the national summit of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) held in Lagos.

The President, who was represented at the summit by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, described the summit, themed ‘Nigeria First and Sustainable Development’, as both timely and significant.

He said that national interest must remain the guiding principle for policies, partnerships and public investments.

Tinubu, who noted that the summit aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic reforms, national security, food security, infrastructure development, improved healthcare and education, industrialisation, and effective governance, identified agriculture, the blue economy, renewable energy and environmental sustainability as key sectors where stronger partnerships between government and civil society organisations could drive economic growth and improve livelihoods.

Sanwo-Olu described the gathering as a defining moment for Nigeria, saying that the country requires unity, patriotism and constructive engagement to overcome its challenges.

The governor, who maintained that civil society organisations remain indispensable partners in democratic governance, serving as the bridge between government and citizens while promoting accountability, transparency, electoral integrity, community health, gender equality and good governance, however, urged civil society leaders to ensure that their advocacy remains factual, constructive and patriotic.

National Convener of the summit, Kunle Yusuf, who stated that the CSO platform serves as the coordinating body for accredited civil society organisations across Nigeria, urged them to combat misinformation by ensuring that only verified and credible information is disseminated to the public.

He, therefore, encouraged CSOs to deepen collaboration with community-based organisations across local councils and recommit themselves to promoting unity, democratic values and sustainable development.

Similarly, Deputy Country Representative of the United Nations (UN) Women in Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba, emphasised the need for stronger collaboration with CSOs to advance peace, gender equality and human rights.

Ekeoba described CSOs as “government accelerators” and a critical bridge between citizens and the state.

She called for better coordination, implementation of frameworks, such as the national gender policy, and sustained support, to enable the CSOs to deliver effectively.