By Nafiu Toyin Abdulqadri.
The Honourable Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, unveiled a comprehensive four-year roadmap for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) yesterday in Abuja. The initiative aims to drive socio-economic growth and foster a more inclusive government in Nigeria.
The roadmap was disclosed during the valedictory session of the National Steering Committee for Nigeria’s National Action Plan III (NAP III) and the inauguration of the committee tasked with developing the fourth National Action Plan (NAP IV). The event, held in the nation’s capital, marked a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance and public participation.
The OGP, a global initiative, focuses on promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement to ensure that governments are more open and responsive to the needs of their citizens. Comrade Olawande emphasized that the new roadmap is designed to address the shortcomings of previous action plans while setting a clear path for achieving measurable progress in governance and socio-economic development.
During his address, the Minister urged members of the newly inaugurated steering committee to meticulously review the NAP IV roadmap and provide constructive feedback. “Our goal is to create a robust action plan that avoids the challenges encountered during the implementation of NAP III,” he stated. “This requires collective effort, innovation, and a commitment to ensuring that the voices of all Nigerians are heard and integrated into the decision-making process.”
The NAP IV roadmap outlines strategic priorities, including enhancing public service delivery, combating corruption, improving access to information, and empowering citizens to actively participate in governance. The Minister highlighted that the success of the plan hinges on collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism about the potential of the new roadmap to transform governance in Nigeria. “This is a critical step toward building a more open and inclusive society,” said a representative from a leading civil society organization. “We are committed to working with the government to ensure that the objectives of NAP IV are realized.”