By Kingsley Ebom
A report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a nonpartisan foreign policy think-tank based in Europe and America, has identified 360 Non-Governmental Organisations in Nigeria that are ironically funded by the Nigerian government.
Titled Fake Civil Society: The Rise of Pro-Government NGOs in Nigeria, the voluminous paper detailed how these organizations operate, who runs them, and their motifs: singing praises for the government and further shrinking the civic space.
The report says Nigeria is experiencing “democratic backsliding,” a sentiment espoused in a recent Nigeria Abroad editorial.
“Out of 360 pro-government Nigerian NGOs identified by this research, 90 percent have started operating since President Muhammadu Buhari took office in 2015. This correlation suggests that these groups receive high-level support and encouragement. Many are controlled by a small number of individuals who have personal and ethnic connections to Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” the report says.
The think-tank asked donors, diplomats, and development professionals, as well as legitimate domestic and international NGOs to call out the groups’ toxic behaviors and press their high-level backers to stop sponsoring them.
“International diplomats should also levy visa bans on pro-government NGO leaders who issue violent threats or spew hate speech,” the paper notes.
On recent efforts to regulate NGOs in Nigeria, the report said such moves merely sought to shut down legitimate civil society while the fakes operated sometimes without office addresses.
Markers for identifying such fake groups include blatant sycophancy, ad hominem attacks, illiberalism, a penchant for press conferences, legitimacy seeking, opaque funding, overt partisanship, etc.
Among listed names behind these NGOs is the politician Philip Agbese, publisher of the online outlet TheNigerian News; and his associates—Isaac Ikpa, Ogenyi Okpokwu, Solomon Adodo, and Sabo Odeh.
Others include Princess Bosede Ajibola of Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER); a tailor identified as Ibrahim Kabiru Dallah, who is behind Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Abuja; and Ali Abacha, General Sani Abacha’s younger brother linked to at least five “briefcase NGOs,” among them the Northern Patriotic Front.
Such “spurious” groups discredit the efforts of genuine civil society, the paper adds, urging Nigerian media to exert due diligence in reporting NGOs—and shun the fakes completely.
Most of the identified NGOs are based in Nigeria’s Benue State. Below is the full list:
4th Force Liberation Movement
Abuja Civil Society Forum
Accountability and Good Governance Initiative
Accountability and Justice Project for West Africa
Action on Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative
Action Team Against Conscription and Kidnap
Activists Against Corruption, Insecurity and Desperation
Advocates for Social Justice for All
Africa Civil Rights Congress
African Centre for Community Development and Environmental Education
African Centre for Leadership and Good Governance
African Democratic Governance and Development Initiative
African Forum on Accountability and Debt Management
African Forum on Law, Equity, Justice and Development
African Initiative for Development and Empowerment
African Legislative Enlightenment Initiative
African Liberation Vanguard
African Peace Pathfinder
African Women Arise for Change Network
African Women for Accountability and Justice
All Lives Matter Nigeria
Alliance for Defense of Democracy
Amalgamated Rally of Northern Nationalistic Forces
Arewa Action for Change and Peace
Arewa Citizens Action for Change
Arewa Citizens Coalition for Change
Arewa Coalition for Truth and Justice
Arewa Crusaders Against Banditry
Arewa Progressive Congress
Arewa Students Forum
Arewa Youth Consultative Council
Arewa Youth Consultative Forum
Arewa Youth Development Foundation
Arewa Youth for Good Governance
Arewa Youth for Peace and Security
Arewa Youth Security Network
Arewa Youths Integrity Forum
Arise Nigeria
Aspirational Leadership and Empowerment Initiative
Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe
Association of Northern Nigerian Students
Awareness For Good Governance Group
Bayelsa Network of Progressives
Bayelsa Rainbow Coalition for Good Governance
Benin Coalition Movement
Benue Youth Forum
Borno Stakeholders Foundation
Bring Back Our Refineries
Buhari Youth Organization
Centre for African Children, Women and Youth Development
Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights
Centre for Black Culture, Renaissance and Civilization in Africa
Centre for Cooperation, Research and Development in West Africa
Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness
Centre for Crisis Mitigation and Management
Centre for Democracy and Developmental Research
Centre for Excellence, Leadership and Development
Centre for International and Strategic Studies
Centre for Justice and Transformational Leadership
Centre for Justice in Africa
Centre For Leadership and Democratic Study
Centre for Leadership and Development Initiative
Centre for Peace and Interfaith Dialogue Initiative
Centre for Peace Transparency and Accountability
Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency
Centre for Women’s Rights, Equality and Justice in Africa
Citizen First Nigeria
Citizen’s Enlightenment Initiative
Citizens Action for Good Governance
Citizens Against Destabilization
Citizens Against Fake Activists
Citizens Arise Movement of Nigeria
Citizens Awareness Against Corruption and Social Vices Initiative
Citizens Center for Rights, Justice and Equity
Citizens Watch Nigeria
Citizens’ Rights Crusade Network
Civil Rights Movement of Nigeria
Civil Situation Room
Civil Society Advocacy Group for Accountability and Probity
Civil Society Advocacy Groups for the Defence of Human Rights and Democracy
Civil Society Centre for Leadership and Followership
Civil Society Coalition Against COVID-19
Civil Society Coalition for Positive Change
Civil Society Groups for Good Governance
Civil Society Situation Room on COVID-19
Coalition Against Fake Activists
Coalition Against Fake News in Nigeria
Coalition Against Terrorism and Extremism
Coalition for Change and Good Governance
Coalition for Change and Transparency
Coalition for Civil Rights and Good Governance
Coalition for Civil Society Organisations for Change and Good Governance
Coalition for Democracy and Development
Coalition for Good Governance
Coalition for Good Governance and Change
Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative
Coalition for Good Governance and Rule of Law
Coalition for Human Rights Advocacy and Social Action
Coalition for Human Rights and Rights Monitoring Group
Coalition for Human Rights Groups in Nigeria
Coalition for Human Rights Monitoring Groups in Nigeria
Coalition for Justice and Peace Initiative
Coalition for Nigeria Movement
Coalition for One Nigeria
Coalition for Positive Change Initiative
Coalition for Truth and Justice
Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution
Coalition of Arewa CSOs for Progress and Change
Coalition of Arewa Dialogue Youth Forum
Coalition of Arewa Patriots
Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups
Coalition of Arewa Youths for Good Governance
Coalition of Bauchi Youth for Development
Coalition of Buhari Friends and Supporters
Coalition of Buhari Supporters and Friends
Coalition of Civil Rights Groups
Coalition of Civil Rights Movement
Coalition of Civil Societies for Good Governance and Change Initiative
Coalition of Civil Societies on Human Rights and Anti-Corruption in Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society and Youth Groups in Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society for Citizen’s Action against Covid-19
Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance
Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance and Change
Coalition of Civil Society for National Unity and Co-existence
Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency and Good Governance
Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency in Governance
Coalition of Civil Society Groups
Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance and Rule of Law
Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Justice
Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Justice and Equity
Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Good Governance
Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society on Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society on Good Governance
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Peace and Good Governance
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Transparency in Governance
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Defence of National Security
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations of Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society Organization for Good Governance and Change Initiative
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Media Executives for Good Governance in Nigeria
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Justice and Equity
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Transparency and Good Governance
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Transparency in Governance
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Rivers State
Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Students
Coalition of CSOs Promoting Good Governance In Nigeria
Coalition of Democratic Watchdogs of Nigeria
Coalition of Friends and Supporters of Buhari
Coalition of Human Rights Monitoring Groups
Coalition of Lawyers Against Terrorism
Coalition of Nigeria Civil Society for Peace, Unity and Development
Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria
Coalition of Nigerian Election Observers
Coalition of Nigerian Youths for Good Governance
Coalition of Northern Groups
Coalition of Northern Groups for Good Governance
Coalition of Northern Nigerian Youth Groups
Coalition of Northern Patriots
Coalition of Oduduwa Descendants
Coalition of Patriots Against Agents of Corruption
Coalition on Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Nigeria
Coalition on Good Governance and Change Initiative
Coalitions of Civil Society Groups
Committee for Democratic Governance
Commonwealth Activists
Commonwealth College of Bishops and Clergy Councils
Community Initiative Against Drug Abuse
Community Watch and Rights Initiative
Community Watch of Nigeria
Concerned Christian Forum of Nigeria
Concerned Citizens and Stakeholders
Concerned Citizens Coalition
Concerned Citizens Conference of Nigeria
Concerned Citizens for Defence of Nigeria
Concerned Citizens Forum
Concerned Civil Society Organizations for Transformation
Concerned Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria
Concerned CSOs Alliance for Democracy and Development
Concerned Democrats for Equitable Representation
Concerned Diasporas
Concerned National Stakeholders of the APC
Concerned Nigerians
Concerned Nigerians for Democratic Governance
Concerned Nigerians in the United Kingdom
Concerned Progressives
Concerned Women and Africa Arise for Change Network
Conduct and Due Process Group
Conference of Civil Society of Nigeria
Conference of Civil Society Organisations for Peace, Security and National Development
Conference of Ethnic Minorities in Nigeria
Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria
Conference of Nigeria Civil Society for Peace, Human Rights and National Unity
Congress for Human Rights in Nigeria
Conscience Nigeria
Consultative Assembly of Arise Nigeria
Democracy Support Coalition
Democracy Watch Africa
Egalitarian Coalition of Nigeria
Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative
Entrepreneurship Development and Support Initiative in Nigeria
Ethics, Standards and Reputation Society in Nigeria
Federation for Unity, Peace and Development in Africa
Forum of Civil Societies Organisation of Nigeria
Forum of Ethnic Nationality for Progress
Foundation for Equity and Justice
Foundation for Unemployed Nigerians
Friends of Democracy and Freedom
Friends of Humanity
Gender and Social Equality Advocacy Groups
Global Action for Peace
Global Amnesty Watch
Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption
Global Initiative for Economic and Human Resource Development
Global Integrity Crusade Network
Global Network Against Narcotics, Drugs and Illicit Arms Initiative
Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative
Good Governance Advocacy Project
Good Governance and Transparency Initiative
Grassroot Initiative for Development and Social Change
Green World Initiative for National Development
Guardians of Democracy and Development
Human Rights and Community Builders Association
Igbos in Nigeria Movement
Impart Africa
Independent Public Service Watch
Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria
Initiative for Leadership Development and Change
Initiative for Minority Rights in Nigeria
Institute for Peace and Counter-Terrorism Studies
Integrity Group Against Corruption
Integrity Network Initiative
Integrity Youth Alliance
Inter-Faith Initiative for Peace and Justice in Africa
International Center for Policy Dialogue and Governance Innovation
International Centre for Disaster Management
International Human Rights Committee on Civil/Military Relations
International Human Rights Protection Forum
Lake Chad Counter-Terrorism Crusade Network
Lawyers Initiative for Democratic Advocacy
Lawyers Integrity Crusade Network
Lawyers of Conscience
Lawyers United for Justice, Peace and Development
Lawyers United for Justice, Peace and Development
League of Northern Youth Groups
League of Rivers Progressives
Legislative Watch
Liberty Nigeria
Middle Belt Conscience Guards
Middle Belt Democratic Youth League
Movement Against Slavery and Terrorism
Movement of the People of Nigeria
N- Power Nationwide Beneficiaries Forum
National Accountability Watch Group
National Coalition Against Terrorism
National Coalition for Change
National Coalition on Peace and Human Rights in Nigeria
National Committee of Yoruba Youths
National Democratic Front
National Inter-Faith and Religious Organisations for Peace
National Peace and Reconciliation Project
National Rebirth and Conscience Platform
National Rebirth Movement
National Transparency Initiative
National Vanguard for Covid-19 Vaccine Administration and Advocacy
National Youth Council of Nigeria
Network for Accountability and Transparency Crusade
Network for Peace, Security and Justice in West Africa
Network of Democratic Watchdogs of Nigeria
Network of Friends and Supporters of Buhari
Network of Nigeria Civil Society Organisations
New Initiative for Credible Leadership
New Nigeria Youth for Progress
Next Level Agenda Advocates Group
Niger Delta Political Advocacy Platform
Niger Delta Renaissance Coalition
Niger Delta Youth Caucus
Nigeria First
Nigeria US-Canada Diaspora Forum
Nigerian Center for Mass Literacy and Orientation
Nigerian Network of Civil Society Organisations
Nigerian Network of NGOs
Nigerian Unemployed Youth Vanguard
Nigerian Youth Organization
Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group United Kingdom
Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, United States
Nigerians United Against Corruption
Nigerians United for Progressive Change
Non-Violent Peace Initiative
North Central Democracy and Peace Vanguard
North Central Progressive Forum
North Central Renaissance
North East Coalition against Terrorism
North East Peace Advocates
North East Peace Agenda
North East Peace Assembly
North-East Network for Peace
North-South Youth Integrity Forum
Northern Christian Youth Forum
Northern Emancipation Network
Northern Inter-Faith and Religious Organization for Peace
Northern Nigerian Peace Foundation
Northern Patriotic Front
Northern Patriotic Front
Northern Patriots
Northern Security Crusaders
Northern Youth Coalition for Good Governance
Northern Youth Council Of Nigeria
Northern Youth Vanguard
One Voice Nigeria
Open Society for Social Engagements
Organisation of Justice for Equity Sustenance
Pan African Development and Orientation Initiative
Parliament Watchdog
Partners for Justice and Equity
Partners for Legislative Agenda for Nigeria
Patriotic Conscience for New Nigeria
Patriotic Front of Nigeria
Patriots Without Borders
Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria
People United Against Crimes and Corruption
People United to Serve Humanity – Nigeria
People’s Parliament
Peoples Democratic Party National Solidarity Vanguard
Policing Nigeria Awareness Initiative
Progressive Forum of Youth CSOs and NGOs
Progressive Nigerian People’s Congress
Progressive Yoruba Youth Congress
Project Youths Awakening Northern Nigeria
Religious Organisations and Episcopal Missions
Rescue Nigeria Anti-corruption Network
Royal Empowerment for Development Initiative
Sanctity Transparency Peace Initiative
Save Humanity Advocacy Centre
Save Nigeria Movement
Social Justice and Human Rights Network in Africa
Society for Peace, Security and Society Justice
Society for the Advancement of Niger Delta Peace
South-East Economic and Social Rights Movement
Stand Up Nigeria
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria
Tiv Youth Advancement Vanguard
Tiv Youth Council Worldwide
Trade Union Coalition
Transparency Advocacy Initiative Nigeria
Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative
Transparency Watch
Truth and Justice Movement of Nigeria
United Nigeria Forum
United Peace Foundation
Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy
West Africa Justice, Peace and Development Initiative
West African Civil Society and Private Sector Organisations
Women and Guilds Peace Professionals Initiative
Women and Guilds Peace Professionals Initiative
Yoruba Summit Group
Youth Advocacy for Credible Leadership
Youth Ambassadors for Economic and Social Development
Youth Democratic Alliance for Good Governance
Youth Federation for Public Safety
Youth Initiative for Education, Development and Empowerment of Niger Delta
