By Sani Aliyu, Zaria A Professor at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has emphasised the critical role of civil society in strengthening dem...
By Sani Aliyu, Zaria
A Professor at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has emphasised the critical role of civil society in strengthening democracy and promoting long-term stability in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at the Kano First Civil Society Organisations Conference 2025, Professor Abdulhamidu Abdullahi of the Department of Local Government and Development Studies said that “a vibrant civil society enriches democratic practice and contributes to lasting peace and progress — not just in Kano or Nigeria, but globally.” The conference, titled “Strengthening Democratic Governance through Civil Society Space in Kano State, Nigeria”, was organised by the Kano State Government through the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs and held at Khalifa Isiyaku Rabiu University, Kano.
Professor Abdullahi warned that civil liberties are increasingly under threat from regulatory overreach and divisive tactics, stressing the need for a vigilant and united defense of civic freedoms. He called for increased investment in capacity-building, legal reforms, strategic partnerships, and inclusive mobilisation to unlock the full potential of civil society. According to him, meaningful reforms and progress in democratic governance require collaboration between civil society organisations, political actors, and the private sector. Such cooperation, he noted, could make Kano—a historic hub of commerce in Nigeria—a model of democratic development.
Addressing the issue of institutional development, the professor emphasized the importance of succession planning. He described it as a deliberate and systematic effort by organisations to ensure leadership continuity, preserve institutional knowledge, and encourage individual growth. Succession planning, he said, is a long-term process that touches every aspect of an organisation and must be approached intentionally by leadership. He defined it as an ongoing process of identifying, assessing, and developing talent for future leadership roles.
Professor Abdullahi also stressed the need for innovative mechanisms that reflect the evolving nature of civic space, urging greater synergy between state institutions and local governments. He maintained that freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy, but must be practiced with responsibility, truth, and respect for the rule of law. When media platforms are used irresponsibly, he warned, they become tools of division rather than enlightenment.
He offered a comprehensive definition of civil society as the space outside the family, state, and market, created by individual and collective actions, organisations, and institutions working to advance shared interests. He explained that civil society includes both formal organisations and informal groups or individuals.
On civil space, he described it as the environment that enables civil society organisations and citizens to organise, participate, and communicate freely without unjustified interference. Citing CIVICUS (2020), he said civil space encompasses freedoms of association, assembly, and expression, as well as the legal and regulatory framework, access to information, availability of funding, public perception, social acceptance, and protection from reprisals.
Professor Abdullahi warned of the growing danger posed by shrinking civil space, which he described as the relationship between repressive state methods and the political struggle to reclaim civic freedoms. He said this concept provides a framework for understanding how repression operates, its sources, effects, and the ways in which civil society resists and adapts.
He concluded by highlighting the rise of threats to online civic space, noting that these threats often originate from the government or citizens working in its interest or on its payroll. According to him, preserving and expanding civic space is essential to securing the future of democracy in Nigeria and ensuring that governance remains accountable and inclusive.
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