The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria have said that "overbearing standards and multiple regulation" by government agencies are stifling their operations and productivity.

They said that the situation was more complicated at the sub-national level, where they faced inconsistent regulatory policies, multiple registration, including paying fees to several state MDAs.

They, therefore, urged the government to regulate the issue of multiple registration to ensure effective and optimal operations of CSOs in the country.

The CSOs and other stakeholders spoke at the 2024 South West Regional Conference, with the theme: "Fostering Strategic Partnership for a Thriving Non-Profit Sector in Nigeria", organised by Global Rights in collaboration with the Community of Practice on Civil Space in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In his opening remarks, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation, European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said that the activities of CSOs could only thrive in a conducive environment, and harped on the need to build sustainable strategies.

The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, while delivering his address, said sub-national legislatures could contribute to addressing some of the challenges by simplifying registration and operational processes through enacting laws that made it easy for the CSOs to operate.

Similarly, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by the Chief Whip, Gbenga Oyekola, emphasised the need for advocacy to streamline the regulatory framework governing CSOs' operations.

The Executive Director of Global Rights, Abiodun Baiyewu, in her address, highlighted that CSOs were an essential ingredient for the survival of any government.