Over 400 community-based organisations (CBOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) under the umbrella of the Citizens Connect Conference have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027, citing his administration’s “bold and far-reaching reforms” in the oil and gas sector as a defining achievement of governance renewal in Nigeria.
The three-day conference, held in Lagos, brought together representatives of civic groups, youth movements, professional associations, and social accountability platforms from all 6 south-West states including Lagos.
A majority of participants were young Nigerians aged between 18 and 40 who came together to assess the state of governance and the impact of regulatory reforms introduced under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
In a communique issued at the close of the conference and jointly signed by Comrade Halima Mohammed, Executive Director of the Centre for Civic Inclusion (CCI); Barr. Chidi Obumneke, Convener of Young Reformers Network (YRN); and Dr. Tunde Alade, Executive Secretary of the South-West Civic Forum (SWCF), the participants commended President Tinubu for consolidating the gains of the PIA and empowering regulatory institutions to operate with a new level of transparency and efficiency.
“The Citizens Connect Conference recognises that under President Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria’s oil and gas regulatory environment has been repositioned for efficiency, transparency, and investor confidence,” the communique reads.
“We particularly note the transformative leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), whose reforms have elevated Nigeria’s standing in the global energy community.”
The groups noted that the digitisation of licensing processes, stricter compliance mechanisms, and anti-theft initiatives introduced by the NUPRC have resulted in higher production levels, improved revenue generation, and restored investor trust in the sector.
They described these achievements as proof that institutional reform, when properly implemented, can drive economic renewal and social inclusion.
According to Aisha Ibrahim, National Coordinator of the Connected Citizens Movement (CCM), “Young people are now seeing the results of evidence-based policy execution. The oil sector, which was once a symbol of corruption and opacity, has become one of the clearest illustrations of accountability under this administration”.
The communique also applauded the administration’s emphasis on energy transition, local content development, and host community participation.
The groups noted that the operationalisation of Host Community Development Trusts has transformed oil-bearing communities to active stakeholders in national prosperity.
They added that the government’s support for domestic manufacturing, through initiatives promoting “Nigeria’s First Goods and Services,” has created opportunities for local entrepreneurs in the oil and gas supply chain.
“President Tinubu’s administration has redefined governance in the extractive sector through decisive leadership and institutional discipline,” said Comrade Sunday Edet, National Coordinator of the Coalition for Accountable Leadership (CAL).
“We have witnessed measurable progress in regulatory enforcement, revenue generation, and digital transparency. Our endorsement for 2027 is rooted in evidence, not sentiment — continuity is essential to consolidate these gains.”
The participants resolved to sustain citizen engagement, track the implementation of reforms, and promote civic participation across the six geopolitical zones.
The communique further called on the federal government to deepen collaboration with youth-led organisations and subnational stakeholders to strengthen policy ownership and transparency across the energy value chain.