Ahmed ILALLAH
The Jigawa State Open Government Partnership (OGP) has concluded a two-day validation workshop for its State Action Plan III (SAP III), paving the way for a new governance roadmap that would strengthen transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and inclusive governance across the state between 2026 and 2027.
The workshop, held in Kaduna from July 31 to August 1, brought together government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, and representatives of the National OGP Secretariat to review, validate, and finalize the strategic document.
OGP is a multi-stakeholder initiative that promotes collaboration between governments and civil society to improve openness, public accountability, and citizens’ participation in governance through a co-creation process.
Leading the workshop was the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State and Chairman of the State OGP Steering Committee, Engr. Aminu Usman Gumel, alongside key members of the state executive council.
Other senior government officials in attendance included the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ibrahim Babangida Umar; the OGP Co-Chair and Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Sagir Musa Ahmed; the Commissioner for Finance, Prof. Hannatu Musa Muhammad; the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hadiza Abdulwahab; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bello Abdulkadir Fanini, as well as permanent secretaries and top government functionaries.
Speaking during the workshop, Gumel reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Umar Namadi to sustaining and strengthening the implementation of the Open Government Partnership in the state.
He also assured the National OGP Secretariat that Jigawa would be fully represented at the next OGP Global Summit, describing the initiative as a critical platform for promoting good governance and strengthening public trust in government institutions.
The workshop equally attracted notable civil society leaders, including the Executive Director of ELIP Initiative and the None-state actor Co-chair, Isa Mustapha; Executive Director of Village Development Initiative (VIDEB), Mustapha Ibrahim Babura; Chairman of the Jigawa Social Protection Platform, Shuaibu Kafin Gana; alongside other civil society activists and development partners.
At the end of the deliberations, members of the OGP Steering Committee reaffirmed their commitment to the effective implementation of the SAP III commitments, stressing that the action plan would further enhance transparency, accountability, public participation, and collaboration between government and non-state actors.
The representative of the National OGP Secretariat, Uchenna Arisukwu, commended the Jigawa State Government for its sustained commitment to the partnership, noting that the state has remained one of Nigeria’s most consistent participants in the initiative over the past eight years.
He observed that Jigawa’s dedication to the OGP process has positioned it among the leading states in promoting open governance and fostering constructive engagement between government institutions and civil society.
Since joining the global initiative, Jigawa State has recorded several milestones, including the establishment of the Jigawa State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, institutionalization of citizen engagement in governance, and stronger collaboration between government and civil society organizations in policy development and implementation.
The successful validation of SAP III marks another significant milestone in the state’s efforts to consolidate reforms and advance open, transparent, and accountable governance over the next two years.
