The Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI), has appealed to the United Nations to strengthen support for Nigerian civil society and community-based organisations driving climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York on December 19, 2025, the Director-General of CSCHEI, Kunle Yusuff, MON, called on the Director of the NGO Branch at the Office of Intergovernmental Support and Coordination for Sustainable Development (OISC-DESA) to accredit registered Nigerian CSOs and CBOs for UN partnerships and funding.
Yusuff said accreditation would enhance the capacity of grassroots organisations working across Nigeria, particularly in climate advocacy and development implementation.
“Accreditation will unlock global funding and UN network support for these changemakers,” he said, adding that local organisations were central to climate action advocacy, climate finance awareness and the delivery of SDGs at community level.
He commended the Nigerian government for aligning national priorities with the UN agenda through the inclusion of civil society organisations in ministries, departments and agencies, as well as partnerships in areas such as climate change, environmental protection, education, artificial intelligence and security collaboration.
According to him, these efforts demonstrated growing recognition of the value of civil society in national development.
Highlighting security-sector collaboration, Yusuff drew attention to the operational relationship between civil society organisations and the Department of Civil Engagement in the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
He described the partnership as an example of constructive engagement between government institutions and non-state actors in advancing sustainable development and national stability.
Yusuff further noted that the Federal Government of Nigeria had been implementing UN recommendations by nominating members of CSOs, CBOs and NGOs to agencies with SDG-related mandates.
“This approach reflects Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive governance and the global development agenda,” he said.
CSCHEI urged OISC-DESA to extend greater institutional support to Nigerian CSOs and CBOs, arguing that strengthened UN engagement would amplify grassroots impact and accelerate progress on climate action and sustainable development.
Concluding his remarks, Yusuff praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the establishment of a National Committee on Climate Change Awareness, chaired by the Special Assistant to the President on Climate Change Matters, describing it as “a significant step towards deepening public engagement and national coordination on climate issues.”
