The Open Government Partnership (www.opengovpartnership.org) Global CEO - Sanjay Pradhan has commended civil society organisations in the country as being “one of the shinning lights” in advocating for OGP in Nigeria and being a global inspiration to all.

Pradhan made the commendation at an interactive session which held on the 8th of October with representatives from Civil Society (CS) in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting which was facilitated by Nigeria's OGP Secretariat with support from DFID’s Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) was an opportunity for delegates to discuss challenges, opportunities and the way forward for implementing open governance in Nigeria. 

Chris Okeke, DFID Governance Adviser and Senior Responsible Owner of PERL gave highlights on areas of strengthening for open governance including the leadership and institutional arrangement, government commitment and the prioritization of OGP. In her remarks, National Team Leader of PERL’s Engaged Citizens Pillar, Adiya Ode praised efforts of civil society organisations for being a driving force of Open governance in the country. She called for involvement of more Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and civil society groups and private sector in operationalizing open governance principles. She cautioned that OGP should not be projectized and commended the addition of social inclusion and service delivery as commitment areas in the second National Action Plan (NAP II).

Mr. Edetaen Ojo, the outgoing civil society Co-chair when addressing the delegates stressed the need for issues surrounding OGP to be brought to light in the meeting and charged Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to take advantage of Sanjay’s visit to Nigeria as an opportunity to not only advance some of the reform goals in the area of governance but also to address the management of the OGP process and implementation of the NAP II.

A common thread to issues raised by the CS leaders focused on guidance for the institutionalisation of OGP in Nigeria; supporting efforts with embedding open governance practices within different MDAs in order to be recognised as fundamental pillars of transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

The CS leaders also mentioned areas of concern which included:

§   the need for monitoring and evaluation structures to be put into place and a renewed commitment from government on empowering citizens in OGP coordination;

§  the need for very senior level officers to be allowed to drive OGP in Nigeria. Officers that have convening power in MDAs and this could be made a requirement for Nigeria;

§  that Civic space seems to be shrinking in the country and the NGO bill would affect civil society;

§  improved gender representation in open governance reform processes;

§  Legislature's limited awareness of OGP as a possible factor leading to the failure of passage of proceeds of crime bill;

§  an open contracting portal that does not work, and may undermine government's drive to be active in transparency commitments; and

§  the need for SERVICOM to get more support from government.

	Sanjay Pradhan (centre) with delegates from the secretariat

To conclude the session, Pradhan noted concerns raised and assured participants of his commitment to addressing these with key government stakeholders. He underlined the importance of Governments to see OGP as not another initiative but a central part of achieving their political objectives and gaining citizens’ trust. Sanjay also proposed that CSOs put more collective effort in raising awareness and opening a space to get more stakeholders involved in the OGP discourse. He further mentioned ‘Democracy beyond the ballot box’ and how OGP can serve as a platform for Government to communicate directly with its citizens in understanding their plights; before concluding by urging CSOs to not relent but instead remain strategic and steadfast in steering the course around OGP institutionalisation. The CEO suggested that all CS should have a collective ask.

Some of the CSOs who attended the session included: Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative, Citizens Connect, Media Rights Agenda, Policy Alert, Safe and Sound Youth Awareness Initiative, BudgIT, Open Alliance, Centre for Democracy and Development and One Campaign.

PERL has played active roles in supporting the development and strengthening the OGP process in Nigeria. This includes technical input and support to civil society in the development of the OGP 2^nd National Action Plan. The programme will continue to encourage the process, particularly by working with civil society to ensure improved coordination and responsibility from government in achieving the OGP commitments.

Follow the links for related media news: 

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Agba Backs Implementation of OGP Commitments in Nigeria, Says it Has Potentials to Create Jobs, Reduce Poverty - Read More here