Civil Society and NGOs – SS2 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Civil society is the group of people and organisations who come together voluntarily to achieve a goal that improves life for everyone. They are not trying to win elections like political parties, and they are not trying to make a profit like businesses. Examples include NGOs, faith-based groups, labour unions, student unions and community associations.

Subject: Citizenship and Heritage Studies
Class: SS2
Focus: Meaning, roles in democracy, advocacy and service delivery

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what civil society is and give examples of civil society groups;
• describe the roles of civil society in a democracy;
• state the three main ways NGOs do advocacy;
• list ways NGOs provide services to communities;
• identify challenges facing civil society in Nigeria.

What is civil society?

Imagine a bridge. On one side, you have the Government (the President, Governors, Police). On the other side, you have Private Families (you, your parents, your home).

Civil Society is everything in the middle. It is the group of people who come together voluntarily to achieve a goal. They aren’t trying to win elections (like political parties), and they aren’t trying to make a profit (like businesses). They want to improve life for everyone.

Examples of civil society groups include:

• NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) like the Red Cross.
• Faith-based groups (Churches and Mosques).
• Labour Unions (like NLC or ASUU).
• Student Unions (like SUG in universities).
• Community Associations (like your “Landlord Association”).

What is the role of civil society in a democracy?

In a democracy, citizens do more than vote and then wait four years for the next election. Civil society acts as the “Watchdog.”

• Protecting Rights: They are the first to speak out when a citizen’s rights are violated. If a journalist is arrested unfairly, groups like Amnesty International speak up.
• Monitoring Elections: During elections, you see people in bright vests watching the polling units. They make sure nobody “jams” the results.
• Educating Voters: They teach people how to vote, why they should not sell their votes for bread or money, and what their rights are.
• Limiting Government Power: They act as a “Check.” If the government tries to pass a law that will hurt the poor, civil society organises protests or goes to court to stop it.

What is advocacy?

Advocacy means speaking up for someone else. It is often called being the “Voice for the Voiceless.” NGOs do advocacy in three main ways:

1. Lobbying: Meeting with Senators or Ministers to convince them to pass good laws (like laws to protect girl children or provide better healthcare).
2. Awareness Campaigns: Using radio, TV and social media to tell people about a problem (like the dangers of drug abuse or the importance of cleanliness).
3. Protest and Petitions: When talking nicely does not work, they organise peaceful marches to show the government that the people are unhappy.

What is service delivery?

Sometimes the government is slow or does not have enough money to reach everyone. NGOs then step in to provide actual services, which is why this role is described as “filling the gaps.”

• Healthcare: Groups like Doctors Without Borders go to war zones or remote villages to treat people for free.
• Education: Some NGOs build libraries in villages or give scholarships to students who cannot afford school fees.
• Emergency Relief: When there is a flood or a fire, NGOs like the Red Cross are usually the first to arrive with food, blankets and medicine.
• Skill Acquisition: They organise workshops to teach youths how to sew, code or farm so they can be independent.

What challenges does civil society face in Nigeria?

It is not always easy to run an NGO in Nigeria. NGOs face several “human” and “political” hurdles:

• Funding (Money): Most NGOs rely on donations. If people do not donate, they cannot do their work.
• Government Pressure: Some leaders see NGOs as “enemies” or “troublemakers” because they speak the truth. This can lead to harassment.
• Internal Corruption: Some people start “fake” NGOs just to collect money from donors and put it in their own pockets.
• Lack of Safety: In some parts of the country, it is dangerous for NGO workers to travel because of insecurity.

Revision table: types of civil society group

Evaluation

1. What is civil society? Give three examples of civil society groups.
2. State four roles of civil society in a democracy.
3. Name the three main ways NGOs do advocacy.
4. Give two examples of services that NGOs provide when the government cannot reach everyone.
5. Mention three challenges facing civil society in Nigeria.

Assignment

If you were to start an NGO in your community today, what is the one problem you would try to fix? Why? Be ready to discuss your answer in class.