Patience Robinson, Kaduna
In a move that establishes a new global benchmark for subnational governance, Kaduna State has officially launched the domestication of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) framework across all 23 of its Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The initiative kicked off this week with a high-level two-day orientation workshop organized by the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, EngenderHealth, and the OGP National Secretariat, drew a massive turnout of policy-makers, local council chairmen, civil society advocates, and international development partners.
It aims to decentralize the core OGP values of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.
By bringing these principles to the grassroots level, the state is specifically targeting a transformation in Primary Healthcare (PHC) service delivery, which is a part of the administration’s Rural Transformation Agenda.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Governor Uba Sani, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, underscored that the localization of OGP is a strategic effort to bridge the widening gap between the government and the governed.
“Sustainable development is built on trust, transparency, and accountability. By embedding these principles at the local government level, we are empowering our Chairmen to not only improve service delivery but to fundamentally restore the citizens’ confidence in our institutions, Dr. Hadiza told the Assembly.
The initiative has garnered international acclaim for its bold scale. Dr. Ekenem Isichei, Deputy Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Communication at the Gates Foundation, lauded the state for translating OGP principles into practical actions to strengthen PHC.
He said, Kaduna is proving that OGP is not just a theoretical framework for capitals; it is a practical tool that can be used to strengthen health systems where they matter most, at the doorstep of the citizen.
The Honorable Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Hon. Mukhtar Monrovia, stressed the need to align state-level planning with local government implementation through a decentralized, participatory approach.
Similarly, Dr. Anthony Shamang, speaking on behalf of the Health Partners Reference Group (HPRG), stressed the role of open governance in making health services more accessible, responsive, and accountable.
He reaffirmed the readiness of development partners to support Local Government Chairmen throughout the implementation process.
According to the official report of the proceedings, the workshop yielded several concrete milestones, including the commitment to establish inclusive OGP Steering Committees in all 23 LGAs.
An agreement that all Local Government Councils will co-create and submit health-focused Local Government Action Plans to the State OGP Secretariat by July 2026.
The Planning and Budget Commission and the State OGP Secretariat will provide ongoing technical support to establish Local Government OGP Steering Committees and co-develop Local Government Action Plans.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), represented by Hon. Dauda Madaki, committed to ensure the successful domestication and implementation of OGP at the grassroots level.
Technical experts, including Mr. Uchenna Arisukwu from the OGP National Secretariat and Mallam Bashir Ladan, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the State Planning and Budget Commission, guided participants through sessions on evidence-based data and co-creation strategies.
The report concludes that, the successful commencement of the workshop marks another significant milestone in the State’s journey towards deepening transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
