President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to inclusive governance by calling on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to become stronger partners in driving national development and advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda. The President emphasized that sustainable national progress requires active collaboration between government and civil society, anchored on patriotism, accountability and shared responsibility. Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at the opening of the National Civil Society Organisations Summit 2026 and Southern Civil Society Organisations Summit in Lagos, President Tinubu described CSOs as indispensable "co-architects of national development" whose contributions are critical to building a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria. The President noted that the theme of the summit, "Nigeria First," perfectly aligns with the objectives of his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises economic reforms, national security, food security, infrastructure development, quality education, healthcare, industrialisation, digital transformation and good governance. President Tinubu stressed that while civil society has historically played an important advocacy role, today's realities demand a deeper partnership focused on delivering practical solutions to Nigeria's developmental challenges. "Your work is not restricted to activism against the government; it is patriotism in action for Nigeria," the President stated, urging stakeholders to channel their expertise towards nation-building and sustainable development. He commended civil society organisations for their outstanding interventions during national emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-related disasters, flooding and public health challenges, describing their contributions as invaluable to national resilience. Highlighting the administration's commitment to food security and economic prosperity, President Tinubu called for stronger collaboration in promoting climate-smart agriculture, environmental sustainability, wetland protection and mangrove restoration, particularly as parts of the country face increasing climate risks. The President also identified the Blue Economy, renewable energy and environmental services as emerging sectors capable of creating thousands of jobs for Nigerian youths and women, urging civil society organisations to partner with government in unlocking these opportunities. Reaffirming his administration's dedication to transparency and accountability, President Tinubu encouraged CSOs to strengthen their participation in budget monitoring, community engagement, policy implementation, data sharing and social accountability mechanisms that improve service delivery across the country. He further assured Nigerians that his administration welcomes constructive criticism that enhances governance, while encouraging civil society organisations to embrace stronger institutional governance, ethical standards and self-regulation in order to sustain public confidence. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also applauded President Tinubu's collaborative governance approach, describing civil society organisations as the lifeblood of every thriving democracy because of their role in promoting transparency, accountability and citizen participation. Governor Sanwo-Olu said the "Nigeria First" theme reinforces the need for every Nigerian to place national interest above sectional considerations, adding that government and civil society must continue working together as strategic partners rather than adversaries. He highlighted Lagos State's institutionalisation of citizen participation through open budgeting, regular town hall meetings and sustained consultations with civil society on education, healthcare, environmental management and social welfare policies. According to the governor, stronger collaboration is essential to addressing insecurity, economic challenges, youth empowerment, misinformation and rebuilding public trust in governance. "Government and civil society are partners and allies. They are two wings of the same bird which must work together to fly the nation high," Sanwo-Olu said. Also speaking, Director-General of CSCHI and National Convener of the Summit, Mr. Kunle Yusuff, unveiled a new framework designed to strengthen cybersecurity, data protection, regulatory compliance and operational standards across Nigeria's civil society sector. He explained that the initiative would improve institutional accountability, enhance digital security, promote evidence-based decision-making and deepen partnerships in critical areas including food security, democratic governance, judicial support, digital transformation and national cybersecurity. Yusuff called on stakeholders across both public and private sectors to support the framework, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration would enhance institutional performance and contribute significantly to Nigeria's sustainable development. Similarly, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba, described civil society organisations as an essential bridge between government and citizens, noting that improved coordination among CSOs would strengthen representation, eliminate duplication of efforts and deliver better development outcomes. She reaffirmed UN Women's commitment to supporting civil society organisations through technical assistance, capacity building and advocacy for the effective implementation of policies that protect the rights of women and girls. The summit reinforced President Tinubu's vision of an inclusive governance model that brings together government, civil society and development partners to deliver lasting economic growth, deepen democratic governance and accelerate the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda for the benefit of all Nigerians.