Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre

20/08/2026

WHOSE VOICE COUNTS? PUTTING WOMEN AT THE HEART OF NIGERIA’S EXTRACTIVE SECTOR GOVERNANCE

Natural resources belong to communities, but do women have an equal voice in how the benefits are governed?

Across Nigeria’s extractive host communities, women play vital roles in sustaining families, livelihoods, and community development. Yet, their voices and interests can remain underrepresented in the structures responsible for managing community development resources.

This must change.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), with support from Oxfam in Nigeria under the Hewlett Project on “Protecting the Rights of Women in Extractives,” is bringing together key stakeholders for a Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Workshop focused on strengthening women’s participation, rights, and influence in the governance of Nigeria’s extractive sector.

At the centre of the engagement is the validation of two National Desk Review Reports examining critical issues around gender-responsive governance, transparency, accountability, corruption risks, and women’s participation in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), 2021, particularly the governance of Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs).

The goal is clear: move beyond policies that simply recognise women to systems that actively include, empower, and listen to them.

The workshop will provide a platform for stakeholders to:

▪️ Critically examine evidence and findings from the two national desk reviews
▪️ Share expert perspectives and community experiences
▪️ Identify gaps and risks affecting women’s participation
▪️ Strengthen recommendations for gender-responsive HCDT governance
▪️ Build consensus around practical pathways for greater transparency and accountability

Because meaningful participation is not about having a seat at the table, it is about having a voice that influences decisions.

When women participate meaningfully in HCDT governance, communities are better positioned to demand transparency, accountability, equitable development, and justice.

The future of inclusive extractive-sector governance must include women, not as an afterthought, but as decision-makers.

Oxfam Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission NHRC Nigeria NNPC Limited Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative - NEITI Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Abuja Federal Ministry of Environment

19/08/2026

EVERY CHILD DESERVES PROTECTION. EVERY RIGHT DESERVES ACTION.

What does it take to create a society where every child can grow up safe, protected and empowered?

It takes strong laws. Informed stakeholders. Effective institutions. And, most importantly, collective action.

In Edo State, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), alongside its implementing partners, SOS Children's Villages Nigeria and Jireh Doo Foundation, convened a Sensitization Workshop with Relevant Stakeholders on the Child Rights Law of Edo State, with support from the European Union in Nigeria under the EU Support to Child Protection Systems in Nigeria (EU-SCPSN) Project.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders to deepen understanding of the Child Rights Law and strengthen collective efforts towards its effective implementation.

From strengthening child protection mechanisms to improving coordination among relevant institutions, the engagement highlighted the critical role every stakeholder has in creating an environment where children are protected from abuse, exploitation, neglect and violence.

Because a law on paper can only go so far.

Real change happens when knowledge becomes action, when institutions work together, and when protecting children becomes everyone’s responsibility.

Through the EU-SCPSN Project, CISLAC and its implementing partners continue to champion stronger child protection systems and meaningful action to ensure that every child can live safely, grow with dignity and realise their full potential.

Protecting children is not just a responsibility, it is a commitment to the future.

17/08/2026

CISLAC at the Fix Politics Dialogue Series

How can Nigeria strengthen the integrity and accountability of its electoral process beyond the Electoral Act?

The Dialogue Series will bring together diverse voices to examine this critical question under the theme:

“Beyond the Electoral Act: Ensuring Integrity and Accountability in Nigeria’s Elections.”

We are pleased to announce that CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, will join other distinguished voices as a Panelist at the dialogue.

📅 Thursday, 27 August 2026
🕘 9:00 AM WAT | 8:00 AM GMT
📍 Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja

Join the conversation as stakeholders explore practical pathways towards more credible, transparent and accountable elections in Nigeria.

Register here: https://airtable.com/appJkdKvUQerBjz7L/shr8zqJBOmb48nnLB

17/08/2026

MONDAY MOTIVATION | CHOOSE TO ACT

A new week brings a new opportunity to make a difference.

Progress does not always come from taking the easiest path. It begins when we choose to act with courage, integrity and purpose, even when the road ahead is difficult.

This week, let’s choose to stand for what is right, promote accountability, demand transparency, and contribute to building a more just and accountable society.

A new week. A new opportunity to make an impact.

14/08/2026

PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS. FIGHTING KLEPTOCRACY. ADVANCING ACCOUNTABILITY.

The fight against corruption and illicit financial flows requires more than words, it demands strong laws, bold legislative action, and maximum protection for those who speak up.

CISLAC, in collaboration with ITUC-Africa, Solidarity Center, and the Nigeria Labour Congress HQ (NLC), is advancing the National Campaign Initiative on Kleptocracy, Illicit Financial Flows and Inequality in Africa – Nigeria.

As part of this initiative, the team held an advocacy engagement with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, focusing on strengthening legislative action around Nigeria’s whistleblowing policy and ensuring maximum protection for whistleblowers.

A robust whistleblower protection framework is critical to:

🔹 Expose and prevent corruption and illicit financial flows
🔹 Strengthen transparency and accountability
🔹 Protect individuals who report wrongdoing
🔹 Promote responsible governance and public trust
🔹 Address the inequalities fuelled by corruption and the illicit movement of resources

When people are protected for speaking up, corruption has fewer places to hide.

CISLAC and its partners remain committed to advancing policies that promote transparency, accountability, workers’ rights, and a more equitable Nigeria.

12/08/2026

https://thehintsnews.com/osun-election-cislac-raises-the-alarm-over-electoral-violence-killings/
Auwal Ibrahim Musa RafsanjaniAuwal Ibrahim Musa RafsanjaniTransparency International

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has expressed concern over the growing threat of electoral violence, political intimidation and vote buying ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State. CISLAC said available findings from independent monitoring, media reports ....

12/08/2026

Happy International Youth Day 2026! 🌍💚**

Today, we celebrate the energy, creativity, resilience, and potential of young people across Nigeria and around the world.

This year’s theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” reminds us that while young people may come from different backgrounds and face different realities, we share common aspirations for dignity, opportunity, inclusion, justice, and a better future.

At CISLAC, we believe young people are not just leaders of tomorrow, they are change-makers today. Their voices, ideas, and active participation are essential to building transparent, accountable, inclusive, and democratic societies.

Let’s continue to create spaces where young people can speak, participate, lead, and shape the decisions that affect their lives and communities.

Different contexts. Common aspirations. One generation shaping the future.✊🏾


United NationsUN Youth AffairsUNDP in NigeriaUNESCO YouthUNESCOUNICEF NigeriaUNICEF

10/08/2026

Monday Reflection |

“Civil society is not anti-government. We are not politicians, and we are not agents of destruction. We are partners in progress.”

— Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani
Executive Director, CISLAC; Head, Transparency International Nigeria

As we begin a new week, this is a timely reminder that a strong democracy is built through constructive engagement, accountability and partnership.

Civil society exists to contribute to national development, amplify citizens’ voices and work with government and other stakeholders towards a more just, transparent and inclusive society.

We are not opponents of progress. We are partners in building it.

09/08/2026

2027: SERAPNigeria Calls on Presidential Candidates to Declare Their Assets

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, transparency and accountability must remain at the heart of the democratic process.

Join Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), on News Central TV on Breakfast Central as he discusses the call for presidential candidates to publicly declare their assets and the importance of transparency in public leadership.

Asset declaration is more than a compliance requirement, it is a critical tool for promoting integrity, accountability and public trust in governance.

📺 News Central TV
📅 Monday, 10 August 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM WAT | 10:00 AM EAT
▶️ Live on News Central TV and YouTube

09/08/2026

Congratulations to Gidado Shuaib on His Appointment as UN Youth Representative

We are delighted to celebrate Gidado Yushau on his appointment as a United Nations Youth Representative by the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), the world’s leading global body for public relations professionals.

In this new role, Gidado will work with IPRA’s UN Bureau in New York to strengthen engagement with the United Nations on youth-focused initiatives and global development conversations.

His appointment is a recognition of his remarkable contributions to journalism, strategic communication, youth development and civic engagement. From his work in the media to his leadership in creating platforms that mentor and celebrate young journalists, Gidado has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to amplifying youth voices and promoting responsible public discourse.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved milestone and wish him greater impact, success and distinction as he takes on this important responsibility on the global stage.

Congratulations, Gidado Yushau!


United Nations