Who is a Civic Space Actor (CSA) ?
Civic Space Actors (CSAs) play a crucial role in advancing justice, equality, and the rule of law through peaceful advocacy. These individuals either independently or collectively, speak out or support others in expressing their opinions. This includes defending those who face harassment, arbitrary arrest, torture, intimidation, threats, or persecution due to their involvement in peaceful protests, online expression, or criticism of government officials and public figures.
Emergency Support for Civic Space Actors will provide support and assistance to individuals who face harassment, arbitrary arrest, torture, intimidation, threats, or persecution as a result of their involvement in peaceful protests, online expression, calls to action, or peaceful assemblies, criticism of government officials, traditional leaders, businesspeople, or corporations aimed at addressing issues of public concern. They will be eligible to receive the following support as the case may be:
Over the past 10 years, there has been an increase in the clamp down of civic space defenders across Nigeria with little or no protection from the government. Numerous instances highlight the vulnerability of Civic Space Defenders (CSDs) in Nigeria but to mention few include the following; the arrest of Isheu Ibrahim Jadda who was a vocal critic of Nigeria’s former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, over a controversial N5.73billion water project, the incident of miss Ushie Rita Uguamaye who was intimidated and summoned over her TikTok and Instagram posts where she broke down in tears while complaining about the terrible state of the economy; the government’s harsh response to anti-government peaceful protests in August 2025, prolonged detention of minors involved in peaceful demonstrations against fuel subsidy removal, charging some persons with treason in connection with the protest and denying some access to their families and legal representation. Also, on October 20, 2024, during a demonstration marking the anniversary of the 2020 ENDSARS Protest, 13 people were killed and some others were injured including a Nigerian nurse, Abiodun Thoma who sustained leg and back injuries, yet no investigation till date after being assaulted by police during a memorial procession near Lagos; Lekki toll gate, marking the anniversary of the protest shootings that occurred there four years ago. The #EndSARS movement in October 2020, which protested against police brutality, also saw a violent crackdown.
These examples underscore the urgent need for the protection of Civic Space Defenders as well as their families because of the intimidation, threats, harassment and heightened risks they face. Their steadfast dedication remains essential to safeguarding human rights and building a stronger, more just society especially in the civic space.
