Introduction:
A one-day meeting for Leaders of Human Rights Monitoring Hubs (HR-MHs) of Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance (NCSPA) was organized by the Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG), with support from Oxdam. This event took place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Thursday 7th of August, 2025.
Participants :
Participants were drawn from Leaders, Coordinators and members of Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance (NCSPA), Women Shadow Budget Groups, traditional institution and allies in the civic space movement.
Technical Session / Presentations :
There were technical presentations through faculty moderation by NDEBUMOG’s Think-Tank, with a robust discussion, critical appraisal, review and analyzation of Nigeria’s Civic Space, which, brought up concerns and observations below.
Concerns and Observations :
- That, Nigeria’s civic space is shrinking and should be of concern to lovers of democracy. Further shrinking, could have negative impacts on freedom of expression, assembly, association and freedom of the press.
- That, many of Nigeria’s citizens have lost the courage to raise their voices against human rights violations/abuses for fear of victimization, harassment, arrest, threat, among others.
- That the judiciary, which is known, to be the last hope of citizens, seems to function in manners that denies victims of violations justice and on time.
- Democracy is not a filth- heaped, where rights of citizens are violated by one another. Therefore, citizens must respect the privacy of one another and MUST use the social media responsibly.
Recommendations :
- Although, Nigeria’s political leadership, recently stated, that his aides, should avoid victimization of citizens for criticizing him, which was commendable. However, this meeting urges the President to put in place, a mechanism, not only to checkmate violators of the civic space. But importantly, modalities to bring to book, any of his aides/ operators of state that may be involved in trampling on the civic space or human rights of any citizen.
- The government, should live up to democratic ideals, which all democracies are known for by allowing the rule of law to reign supreme at all times.
- The judiciary, should be made to undergo remedial reforms to restore citizens confidence in the judiciary, which has been seriously eroded.
- Human right desks across security agencies, should be encouraged through an enduring framework, with law enforcement officers, made to undergo trainings on human rights and civic space protection, as part of democratic norms and conventions. Welfare of the police and entire Nigeria’s armed forces, should be placed above that of politicians in government. Welfare of armed forces, with an enduring civic space goes hand- in- hand.
- Newly constituted leaders of civic space monitoring hubs, were encouraged to be committed by seeing their responsibilities as that of society and democratic preservation for Nigeria, which will benefit everyone and society our society.
Commendations:
Participants commended NDEBUMOG and OXFAM for creation of Civic Space Hubs and putting leaders across the Hubs to monitor and report civic space challenges.
Signed :
– Miracle Chidozie-Nigeria Civic Space Protection Alliance
– Atim Bassey Umana-Women Shadow Budget Group, Okobo
– Ekaette Simon, Hub Coordinator, Uyo
– Edidiong Wilson, Hub Coordinator, Eket
– Uduak Akpan, Hub Coordinator, Ikot Ekpene
– Obodoekwe Stiv, Central Hub Coordinator, Rivers State
– Raymond Victor, Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group
Adopted in Uyo on Thursday 7th August 2025.
