To strengthen transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance, the Kano State Government on Wednesday officially inaugurated the State Actor of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Steering Committee.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Ministry for Public Procurement, Project Monitoring and Evaluation (MPPPME), Kano, and was attended by representatives from government institutions, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and media stakeholders, reflecting the multi-sectoral nature of the OGP initiative.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of MPPPME, Engr. Garba Adamu, expressed deep appreciation to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his steadfast support toward the successful establishment of the committee.
He emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that the OGP platform would serve as a bridge between government and civil society reformers, fostering collaboration aimed at promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in governance.
Providing an overview of the initiative, the Commissioner for MPPPME, who also serves as the Government Co-Chair of OGP, Comrade Nura Ma’aji Sumaila, described OGP as a global, multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to advancing transparency, citizen participation, inclusion, and accountability in governance processes.
He noted that the OGP creates a unique opportunity for reformers within and outside the government to engage in constructive dialogue and collectively address issues affecting citizens both locally and globally.
Speaking further on the structure of the Steering Committee, the Commissioner explained that it comprises equal representation from both government and civil society, with eight members each.
He stressed that this balance is essential to ensuring inclusivity and shared ownership of the reform process.
Highlighting the next steps, he pointed out that Kano State already has a State Action Plan covering the 2024–2026 period.
However, with only a few months remaining, he underscored the urgency of reconvening stakeholders to review progress, strengthen implementation strategies, and engage partners to scale up ongoing efforts.
“We will soon reconvene to be guided by the principle of co-creation, ensuring that all stakeholders actively contribute to shaping and implementing the State Action Plan,” he stated.
In his goodwill message, the Civil Society Co-Chair of OGP, Abdulrazaq Ali, commended the state government for its commitment to advancing the OGP agenda.
He acknowledged ongoing efforts toward implementing the State Action Plan across key thematic areas, including anti-corruption, access to information, access to justice, climate change, and service delivery.
The newly inaugurated State Actors Steering Committee members are the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran; the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya; and the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Budget and Planning, Alhaji Musa Sulaiman Shanono.
Others are the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Environment, Dr. Dahiru Hashim, and the SSA to the Governor on OGP, Hon Musaddiq Kabir Adam, Permanent Secretary of MPPPME, Engr. Garba Adamu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Kano, and the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Bldr Mas’ud Lado Saleh, among other key stakeholders.
The inauguration of the OGP Steering Committee marks a critical milestone in Kano State’s journey toward open governance, signaling a renewed commitment to transparency, citizen engagement, and responsive public service delivery.
Credit: Sagiru Ado Abubakar
