To Involve or Not to Involve the Government?
Ogechi Anoka
Co-founder| Education Professional | Health education Advocate | Programme Coordinator |TRCN certified Educator| African Matters Alumni
Let’s Talk About It.
Hello Changemakers,
When someone asks, "Have you spoken to the government about this project?" Which of these responses is yours?
A. “Why do I need them? They’re not the ones giving me the funds.”
B. “Government wahala? Please, I don’t have time for bureaucracy.”
C. “Let’s just do our work quietly; we don’t need anyone’s permission.”
These responses might come to mind because you think, "If they were doing their jobs, would I even need to be doing this?"
But are you right? Or are you wrong?
Let’s weigh the pros and cons of involving the government in your work, shall we? Then you decide if going with or without their involvement is the right thing for you to do.
The Pros: Why You Might Need Government Involvement
Legitimacy and Protection
At some point, you’d have to be registered, right? If you are planning to operate long-term, you’ll need to register your NGO or social enterprise with the CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission). Having government recognition makes your project less likely to face disruption. If local authorities know about your work, they are less likely to view it as a threat or mistakenly shut you down.
This is crucial if your project involves vulnerable populations (e.g., children, people with disabilities,?and?displaced persons), as government backing can protect you from?legal risks.
Access to Resources and Partnerships
(Side eye) ?? Now, will they hand you money? Probably not. However, some?grants require you to work with the state, and there are networking opportunities you won’t even hear about unless you start mingling.
Rather than starting from scratch, you can leverage existing data, structures, or funding opportunities that align with your project.
Additionally, whether or not they provide funding, government connections can enhance your credibility with larger donors and international partners.
Avoiding Trouble Later
Many NGOs start small and informal, but as they grow, government regulations catch up. If you’re already in the system, you won’t have to deal with retroactive penalties or forced shutdowns.
Compliance requirements for certain projects (such as those in health, education, and food distribution) may not be apparent early on. Understanding these requirements now is better than being caught off guard later.
领英推荐
The Cons
Bureaucratic Bottlenecks
Government processes can be slow and frustrating. If you’re just starting, getting caught in administrative red tape might slow down your momentum. Often, obtaining necessary approvals can take weeks or even months.
Potential Restrictions
Once you bring the government in, you might lose some autonomy. Aside from that, you could face several “potentially helpful ideas” that, in the long run, might cost you more or not align with your vision.
They could impose rules that limit how you operate, who you serve, or what activities you can carry out.
Risk of Politics Interfering in Your Work
If your work gains attention, some government officials may see it as an opportunity for political gain. Next thing you know, you’re dealing with unexpected influences: people asking for favours or trying to take credit for your work.
Increased Scrutiny
Once you’re on the government’s radar, you can expect more scrutiny of your operations. Are your finances transparent? Are you following the appropriate procedures? Some NGOs have faced challenges with compliance and have encountered trouble because they weren’t prepared for the level of oversight that comes with government recognition.
So, would you involve the government?
While you think about that, here’s some food for thought:
P.S.: Whether you like it or not, at some point, you will have to involve the government.
But before then, let me know:
?? Where do you stand on this? Have you worked with government bodies before? Was it helpful or ....?
Let’s talk in the comments.
Best,
Ogechi