The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a comprehensive four-year roadmap for the Open Government Partnership (OGP), aiming to boost socio-economic growth in Nigeria.
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this during the valedictory session of the National Action Plan III (NAP III) and the inauguration of the committee tasked with developing the fourth National Action Plan (NAP IV) in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to the Minister, this initiative prioritises transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement to create a more inclusive government.
The roadmap is part of the National Action Plan IV (NAP IV), which will soon commence, guided by a well-established roadmap. This plan follows the conclusion of the National Action Plan III (NAP III) implementation.
Comrade Olawande urged the steering committee members to thoroughly review the NAP IV roadmap and provide valuable feedback to enhance the process.
“Please draw extensively from your experience with NAP III as you contribute to the draft. Our goal is to create a new action plan that avoids the challenges faced during the implementation of NAP III,” he emphasised.
He further stated: “Our greatest success would be the uniform adoption of OGP principles across Nigeria. We have made significant progress in this regard, and I urge everyone to sustain this momentum.”
He highlighted that 26 out of Nigeria’s 37 states, along with three local councils, have adopted the OGP, demonstrating substantial progress. Additionally, he acknowledged advancements in beneficial ownership reforms over the past few years.
The Minister also commended the President for his commitment to transparency in governance, citing the cessation of payments for the petrol subsidy—previously riddled with corruption—as a clear example.
He expressed appreciation for the Secretariat’s dedication to implementing NAP III, despite numerous challenges.
Mrs. Gloria Ahmed, the National Coordinator of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria and Director of Special Duties at the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, explained that the National Steering Committee (NSC) has adopted a four-year plan instead of the previous two-year cycle.
She stated that this new approach includes a mid-term review to reassess priorities in case of shifts in government focus or other significant developments.
She also underscored the remarkable potential of the OGP, where government, civil society, and the private sector collaborate to strengthen governance.
“The roadmap will officially commence in March with a stakeholder retreat. During this meeting, participants will assess past performance and review the previous National Action Plan,” she added.
Comments are closed.