• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

      Customs boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi with NAFDAC DG Professor Moji Adeyeye

      Codeine, Tramadol Worth ₦20.5bn Seized as Customs-NAFDAC Cooperation Deepens

      Acting Controller General of Customs, Nigerian Customs Services, NSC, Ag. CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Adeniyi Inaugurates Lagos School Renovated by Nigeria Customs 

      Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

      Customs’ Maiwada Named Among Nigeria’s 50 Most Influential PR Voices

  • National
    • Super Falcons wins WAFCON Trophy

      VON Apologizes for Erroneous WAFCON Report, Cites Possible Security Breach, Identifies…

      The recovered AK-47 rifles

      Police Operatives Eliminate 3 Bandits, Recover 10 AK-47 Rifles

      NYSC Corps Members in Camp

      Tinubu to Honours 210 Ex-NYSC Members for Meritorious Services

      PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship 2025 logo

      PRNigeria Opens Application for 2025 Young Communication Fellowship

      NDLEA officials

      NDLEA Arrests Chinese Businessman, 80-Year-Old Grandma in Nationwide Drug Raids 

    • Government
      • NYSC Corps Members in Camp

        Tinubu to Honours 210 Ex-NYSC Members for Meritorious Services

        court Judiciary

        Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died

        Leon Usigbe

        Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon Usigbe

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello, Emir of Gusau

        Tinubu, NUJ, Police, and Military Mourn the Death of Gusau Emir

        Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

        His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of…

  • Security
    • The recovered AK-47 rifles

      Police Operatives Eliminate 3 Bandits, Recover 10 AK-47 Rifles

      NDLEA officials

      NDLEA Arrests Chinese Businessman, 80-Year-Old Grandma in Nationwide Drug Raids 

      Delegates of IEDPU praises CP Moshood Jimoh

      IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership

      Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

      Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons

  • Features
    • Leon Usigbe

      Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

      Tinubu’s Plateau Gambit – Yilwatda, 2027, and the Return of the…

      Ozumi and a recipient of a wheelchair

      Wheels of Hope: How a Simple Gift is Reshaping Lives at…

      Late Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and Mansur Liman

      “Buhari: A Blunt, Honest Leader Who Laughed at His Own Predicament”

      Intelligence Synergy: Reshaping Nigeria’s Security Architecture, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

  • State
    • The recovered AK-47 rifles

      Police Operatives Eliminate 3 Bandits, Recover 10 AK-47 Rifles

      NDLEA officials

      NDLEA Arrests Chinese Businessman, 80-Year-Old Grandma in Nationwide Drug Raids 

      Delegates of IEDPU praises CP Moshood Jimoh

      IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership

      Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

      Nigerian Navy Personnel

      Navy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa…

  • Event
    • Super Falcons wins WAFCON Trophy

      VON Apologizes for Erroneous WAFCON Report, Cites Possible Security Breach, Identifies…

      Cross section of participants and guests at the Kaduna State Chapter world PR day

      Kaduna NIPR Urges Students to Embrace Evolving PR Landscape

      Engr. Saleeman Adedoyin Saleeman

      Global IT Leader Saleeman Adedoyin Launches Free Summer School in Ilorin…

      Celestine Achi, AI in PR specialist

      BOOK REVIEW: AI is Reshaping PR—Celestine Achi Shows Us How

      Saudi Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies Weeks After PRNigeria Debunked Viral Recovery…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features CISLAC: Fostering Civil Society-Legislature Partnerships, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi
  • Features
  • National

CISLAC: Fostering Civil Society-Legislature Partnerships, By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

By
Mukhtar Ya'u Madobi
-
January 26, 2025

CISLAC: Fostering Civil Society-Legislature Partnerships

By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi

According to analysts, the strength of governance in any thriving democratic society is measured by the degree of inclusivity, accountability, and transparency that defines its legislative and policy-making processes.

It is gratifying that since the return of democracy in 1999, Nigeria as a country with vast potential and equally significant governance challenges, has witnessed remarkable strides in strengthening the link between civil society and the legislature.

At the forefront of this transformation stands the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a beacon of hope, advocacy, and policy engagement that has consistently reinforced democracy through legislative advocacy, civic education, and capacity-building initiatives.

For nearly two decades since its inception in 2005, CISLAC has played a pivotal role in ensuring that Nigeria’s legislative process is more participatory, responsive, and accountable and also operates by the global best practices as seen in the developed nations.

Under the stewardship of the founder, Comrade Auwalu Musa Ibrahim Rafsanjani, CISLAC through robust engagement with policymakers, capacity-building programs for civil society groups, and extensive research on governance issues, has fostered an environment where informed policy decisions align with the genuine needs of Nigerians.

Throughout its period of intense activities, CISLAC has continued to make significant impacts across various sectors in Nigeria thereby deepening good governance and promoting inclusion.

Strengthening Legislative Advocacy for Accountability and Transparency
One of CISLAC’s most notable contributions to Nigeria’s democracy is its tireless legislative advocacy, aimed at ensuring that governance is not only by the people but also for the people. The organization has served as a crucial intermediary between policymakers and civil society organizations (CSOs), providing expert analysis and policy recommendations on pressing national issues to entrench national development.

Through strategic engagement with the National Assembly and concerned stakeholders, CISLAC has influenced legislative processes on critical governance matters, including anti-corruption policies and laws, electoral reforms as well as budget transparency and public finance accountability among others.

In the area of anti-corruption, CISLAC has been a vocal advocate for the full implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Whistleblower Protection Bill, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA 2020), which promote financial transparency in both the public and private sectors.

Also, the organization has played an active role in shaping Nigeria’s electoral processes by advocating for amendments to the Electoral Act, ensuring that elections are more transparent, credible, and reflective of the people’s will. The CISLAC under Comrade Rafsanjani has equally championed fiscal discipline by monitoring government budget allocations across several departments, especially the Defense and Security sector, pushing for transparency in budgetary processes, and holding public officials accountable for financial mismanagement. These efforts have not only increased citizen participation in governance but have also pressured the government to prioritize people-centered policies.

Capacity Building for Civil Society Groups and Policymakers
One essential factor that makes CISLAC unique is its understanding that effective legislative engagement requires both civil society actors and policy-makers to be well-informed about governance processes. To this end, the organization has invested significantly in capacity-building programs across the nation aimed at equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to influence policy decisions effectively.

As part of its numerous initiatives, CISLAC has conducted training workshops for several CSOs on legislative advocacy, helping them understand how to engage with lawmakers and track policy implementation. Additionally, it organizes sensitization programs for policymakers to educate them on the importance of civic engagement, transparency, and inclusive governance.

Read Also:

  • VON Apologizes for Erroneous WAFCON Report, Cites Possible Security Breach, Identifies Culprit
  • Police Operatives Eliminate 3 Bandits, Recover 10 AK-47 Rifles
  • Tinubu to Honours 210 Ex-NYSC Members for Meritorious Services

Similarly, the organization continues to develop policy briefs, research reports, and position papers that provide data-driven insights on legislative matters, helping lawmakers to make informed decisions.
By bridging the knowledge gap between civil society and the legislature, CISLAC has empowered grassroots organizations, journalists, and policymakers to contribute meaningfully to governance and democratic consolidation.

Enhancing Citizen Participation in Governance
A functional democracy thrives on an active citizenry that holds leaders accountable and demands good governance. Recognizing this, CISLAC has spearheaded several initiatives to enhance citizen engagement in governance.

Through town hall meetings, media campaigns, and digital advocacy, CISLAC has sensitized and educated citizens on their legislative rights and responsibilities, enabling them to demand better representation from elected officials. It also promotes participatory budgeting, ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are reflected in national and state budget allocations.

Determined to increase uniform participation, CISLAC has been mobilizing stakeholders to demand greater accountability in governance, particularly in sectors such as health, education, and public service delivery.
By amplifying citizen voices, CISLAC has fostered a culture of democratic participation, where governance is no longer a distant concept but an inclusive process involving all Nigerians.

Advancing Governance and Policy Reforms
Beyond legislative advocacy and citizen engagement, CISLAC has been instrumental in driving policy reforms that address governance challenges in Nigeria. The organization has contributed significantly to anti-corruption and good governance reforms, by partnering with institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to ensure the implementation of anti-corruption frameworks.

The organization also continued to push for security sector reforms, advocating for policies that improve national security, human rights protection, and community-driven peace initiatives. Similarly, the same efforts have been invested towards pushing for increased budgetary allocations to essential services that directly impact citizens’ well-being such as health and education sectors.

No doubt, these interventions have had far-reaching impacts, influencing policy decisions at both national and sub-national levels.

CISLAC’s Global Impact and Partnerships
CISLAC’s influence extends beyond Nigeria. As the West Africa Regional Coordinator for Transparency International (TI), the organization collaborates with global anti-corruption networks to combat illicit financial flows, promote good governance, and strengthen accountability mechanisms.

For the record, CISLAC has been at the forefront of combating illicit financial flows (IFFs) in sub-Saharan Africa. In September 2024, the organization launched a comprehensive report titled “Shadow Networks: The Enablers of Illicit Financial Flows in Sub-Saharan Africa Jurisdictions.” This report highlights the key facilitators of IFFs and offers actionable recommendations to curb this pervasive issue, reflecting CISLAC’s dedication to financial transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, CISLAC’s partnerships with international development organizations, such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Open Government Partnership (OGP), have enhanced Nigeria’s standing in global governance discourse. Through these partnerships, the organization has successfully facilitated knowledge exchange, capacity development, and international best practices in governance reforms.

CISLAC as a Pillar of Nigeria’s Democratic Growth
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has undeniably positioned itself as a critical force in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. By bridging the gap between civil society and the legislature, strengthening advocacy for accountability and transparency, and enhancing citizen participation in governance, the organization has contributed significantly to good governance in Nigeria.

At a time when Nigeria faces increasing governance challenges, CISLAC’s role remains more crucial than ever. As the organization continues to champion legislative advocacy and policy engagement, it is imperative that stakeholders—including government institutions, civil society groups, and the international community—support its mission for a more transparent, inclusive, and accountable democracy.

CISLAC’s strides are not just achievements for Nigeria’s civil society but a testament to the power of collaborative governance in fostering a better future for all Nigerians.

Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi writes from Kano via [email protected]

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Auwalu Musa Ibrahim Rafsanjani
  • CISLAC
  • Civil Society Organizations
  • CSOs
  • Good Governance
  • Legislature
  • Nigeria
Previous article70 Terrorists, 3 Commanders Killed as Troops Launch Clearance Operation in N/East
Next articleUnderstanding Ododo’s Reset Agenda in Kogi State
Mukhtar Ya'u Madobi
Mukhtar Ya'u Madobi

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Super Falcons wins WAFCON Trophy

VON Apologizes for Erroneous WAFCON Report, Cites Possible Security Breach, Identifies Culprit

The recovered AK-47 rifles

Police Operatives Eliminate 3 Bandits, Recover 10 AK-47 Rifles

NYSC Corps Members in Camp

Tinubu to Honours 210 Ex-NYSC Members for Meritorious Services

PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship 2025 logo

PRNigeria Opens Application for 2025 Young Communication Fellowship

NDLEA officials

NDLEA Arrests Chinese Businessman, 80-Year-Old Grandma in Nationwide Drug Raids 

Delegates of IEDPU praises CP Moshood Jimoh

IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary Leadership

Troops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover Firearms

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA

Troops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover Weapons

court Judiciary

Court Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu died

Leon Usigbe

Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

Dr. Ibrahim Bello Emir of Gusau

His Death is a National Loss – Tinubu Mourns Emir of Gusau

Recent Posts

  • VON Apologizes for Erroneous WAFCON Report, Cites Possible Security Breach, Identifies Culprit
  • Police Operatives Eliminate 3 Bandits, Recover 10 AK-47 Rifles
  • Tinubu to Honours 210 Ex-NYSC Members for Meritorious Services
  • PRNigeria Opens Application for 2025 Young Communication Fellowship
  • NDLEA Arrests Chinese Businessman, 80-Year-Old Grandma in Nationwide Drug Raids 
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
VON Apologizes for Erroneous WAFCON Report, Cites Possible Security Breach, Identifies CulpritPolice Operatives Eliminate 3 Bandits, Recover 10 AK-47 RiflesTinubu to Honours 210 Ex-NYSC Members for Meritorious ServicesPRNigeria Opens Application for 2025 Young Communication FellowshipNDLEA Arrests Chinese Businessman, 80-Year-Old Grandma in Nationwide Drug Raids IEDPU Praises CP Moshood Jimoh of Lagos Police for Exemplary LeadershipTroops Repel Boko Haram Attack in Gwoza, Recover FirearmsTroops Kill Three Terrorist Leaders in Sokoto Ambush, Recover WeaponsNavy Arrests 9 Impostors Operating as Fake Coast Guards in Akwa IbomArmy Dismisses Allegations of Delayed Promotions, Stagnant AllowancesCourt Remands TikToker Arrested by DSS for claiming President Tinubu diedDeath, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem Tinubu Mourns Veteran State House Correspondent, Leon UsigbePolice Arrest 22 Cultists in OgunEnugu Police Raid IPOB/ESN Hideout, Nab 25 Militants, Recover Firearms
X whatsapp