Open Govt. Week: Groups seek presidential assent to 4th National Action Plan

Open Govt. Week: Groups seek presidential assent to 4th National Action Plan

A coalition of civil society organisations under the auspices of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to sign and implement Nigeria’s Fourth National Action Plan (NAP 4).

The coalition made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 Open Government Week in Abuja, emphasising the need for government at all levels to uphold citizens’ rights to information and participation in governance.

The Executive Director, Public Private Development Centre (PPDC), Lucy Abagi, described OGP as a partnership between government and civil society organisations aimed at ensuring that public institutions remain transparent and accountable to citizens.

According to her, the coalition is seeking presidential assent to the Fourth National Action Plan, improved funding for OGP implementation, and greater collaboration among ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) responsible for executing the framework.

“We are trying to bring to the notice of Nigerians that government owes citizens the right to openness, accountability and transparency.

“We want citizens to know that they have the right to ask questions about how public funds are being used in education, health, water and other social services, from the local government level to the national level,” she added.

In her remarks, Maimuna Sani, Community and Youth Engagement Coordinator at the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund(NYFF), urged the Federal Government to work closely with young people and civil society groups in policy formulation and development planning.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to work closely with the civil society to ensure the implementation of the Fourth National Action Plan for Nigeria.

“We are also using this opportunity to call on Mr President to endorse the Open Government Partnership as it serves the country at large.”

Also speaking, Princess Hamman-Obels, the Director, Initiative for Research, Innovation, Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and The Electoral Hub, described the signing of the National Action Plan as critical to sustaining Nigeria’s OGP commitments.

Hamman-Obels noted that while three action plans had already been implemented since Nigeria joined the partnership, the fourth plan, which was completed last year, was yet to receive presidential approval.

Read Also: Gabam-led SDP expels Agunloye, Adebayo, Gombe, others over…

“Citizens have a right to demand information about government activities and plans because government exists to serve the people in a representative democracy,” she said.

She highlighted achievements under the OGP framework to include: Nigeria’s recognition for digital governance internationally and OGP implementation at sub-national levels, with 27 states and several local governments signing into it.

Also speaking, a Director at LEGIS 360, Mr Samuel Forlorensho, said transparency and openness were necessary conditions for sustainable development.

“When government is transparent, citizens can hold leaders accountable. That is why laws like the Freedom of Information Act are important,” he noted.

Similarly, Civil Society Adviser at the OGP Nigeria Secretariat, Uchenna Arisukwu, said since 2016, Nigeria’s OGP journey  had increased citizens’ participation in governance and improved public access to procurement and beneficial ownership information.

According to Arisukwu, today, Nigeria has platforms that make procurement processes more transparent and beneficial ownership more accessible as a way of reducing corruption.

“We call on President BolaTinubu to demonstrate political will by approving the Fourth National Action Plan and ensuring adequate funding for its implementation.

“The national action plan has 12 commitments across seven thematic areas, including procurement, budget transparency, asset recovery and open contracting.”

On her part, Faith Nwadishi of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, acknowledged that the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and beneficial ownership reforms were part of the gains of Nigeria’s OGP participation.

She noted that the Supreme Court ruling compelling all tiers of government to implement the FOI Act had strengthened citizens’ access to information.

Executive Director of the Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre, Tijani Abdukarim, said the OGP platform encouraged collaboration between government, civil society and citizens to achieve reforms and improve service delivery.

Also speaking, Stakeholders’ Manager at the BudgIT Nigeria, Andrew Orlando, called on government to be transparent in its dealings.

According to him, open government means citizens should have access and how they affect the people.