More than 400 community-based and civil society organisations have declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, applauding his administration’s bold reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector as a model of transparent and efficient governance.
The endorsement came at the Citizens Connect Conference, a three-day convergence of civic groups, youth movements, professional associations, and social accountability platforms from across the six South-West states, held in Lagos.
The event, largely attended by young Nigerians aged between 18 and 40, assessed the state of governance and the progress made under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, jointly signed by Comrade Halima Mohammed, Executive Director of the Centre for Civic Inclusion (CCI); Barr. Chidi Obumneke, Convener of the Young Reformers Network (YRN); and Dr. Tunde Alade, Executive Secretary of the South-West Civic Forum (SWCF), the participants lauded President Tinubu for consolidating the gains of the PIA and empowering key regulatory institutions to function with greater independence and accountability.
“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 communiqué stated.
The groups particularly commended the leadership of Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), for driving digital transformation, strict compliance enforcement, and anti-theft initiatives that have led to higher oil production, improved revenue, and renewed investor trust.
According to Aisha Ibrahim, National Coordinator of the Connected Citizens Movement (CCM), young Nigerians are beginning to see the impact of evidence-based policy reforms.
“The oil sector, once synonymous with opacity, has become a clear example of accountability and reform under this administration,” she said.
The communiqué also praised the government’s commitment to energy transition, local content development, and host community participation, noting that the operationalisation of Host Community Development Trusts has given oil-producing areas a stronger voice in national prosperity.
It further acknowledged the administration’s push for domestic manufacturing through the “Nigeria’s First Goods and Services” initiative, which has expanded opportunities for indigenous entrepreneurs in the oil and gas supply chain.
“President Tinubu’s administration has redefined governance in the extractive industry through decisive leadership and institutional discipline,” said Comrade Sunday Edet, National Coordinator of the Coalition for Accountable Leadership (CAL). “Our endorsement for 2027 is based on tangible progress, not politics continuity is essential to consolidate these gains.”
The conference resolved to strengthen citizen engagement, monitor reform outcomes, and promote civic participation nationwide. It also urged the federal government to deepen collaboration with youth-led groups and subnational stakeholders to enhance policy transparency and public trust across the energy value chain.
