The Nigeria Government, leadership of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) have agreed to work together toward deepening political commitment, civil society engagement, and international support for the country’s open government reforms.
This agreement was reached at the National Steering Committee (NSC) during a visit by the High-Level Open Government Partnership (OGP) Country visit to Nigeria at the weekend. The delegation arrived at the country on 27th to 31st July 2025 and was led by OGP CEO Mr. Aidan Eyakuze the incoming OGP Global Chair Ms. Stephanie Muchai.
This strategic agreement is coming when Nigeria prepares for its Fourth National Action Plan (NAP IV: 2025-2029). The visit also spotlighted how the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) has facilitated the translation of national OGP commitments into tangible subnational reforms.
Speaking at the event the OGP Global Chief Executive Officer, Aidan Eyakuze stated that OGP is a framework committed to partnering for doing and executing as a training state of mind with people who said it cannot be done.
” OGP is a framework and about a partnership for doing and executing assets as a training state of mind or doing things with people who said it cannot be done. Nigeria is a global leader in ownership transparency. Open company registry, it cannot be done. But Nigeria said watch this space. And you did it.
” The Facilitator of legislation with the corporate affairs Commission. I had the pleasure of coming in 2022 in july or August with other CEO”s with Prince Clem Agba noted to meet with late President Buhari to present a global award but for what? First beneficial ownership transparency. Eyakuze noted.
Also speaking at at the event the Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that President Tinubu is keen on transparency and has instructed all Ministers in his cabinet to go out there and talk about what they are doing in their ministries to the people.
Olawande made this disclosure in a media parley organized by the Partnership for Agile Government and Climate Engagement, PACE, held in Transcorp Hilton in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in collaboration with Open Government Partnership, OGP, to deep awareness on Federal Government policies and programs noting that, Mr. President Focus is on the transparency of all government Agencies and Parastatal.
According to him: ” That is why the President himself said go out there and talk about what you are doing. So transparency is one of the major reform of Mr. President.
The one I will mention here which is key to our dear President Bola Tinubu is having a department that put out the activities of the Ministers.
” It is not only the ministers. Every department, Agencies, and parastatals wants to see how you have been able to come out and affect the lives of people in different sectors and areasThat is why any of those government policies and reforms are what we are banking on now.
” Everything about this reforms is about the future of this country. And who are the future of this country? The young people. So, for me, with this Open Government Partnership, OGP, we will make sure that we focus on a lot to make sure that we open the activities of the government to the people”, he said.
On his part the former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba noted that he was misrepresented when he stated that Nigeria was faced with multi-dimensional poverty in a survey he carried out.
He said the states constitutionally are responsible for the multi-dimensional poverty faced by Nigerians as according to him, only the states are saddled with the constitutional provision of providing basic education, health, portable drinking water, sanitation, etc.
He explained: ” I released the survey that shows that Nigeria is multi-dimensionally poor. 133m Nigerians are poor. And that has been misrepresented. Financially, 69m Nigerians are poor, living below 2 dollars per day. But multi-dimensional, 133m Nigerians are poor.
” So who is responsible for this? Is it the Federal Government of Nigeria? Is it the state government? Or the Local government? And the truth from what the survey shows, the Federal Government has nothing to do with multi-mensional poverty. And I have seen a lot of people talk about the former President Buhari that he has increase the number of poor people in Nigeria.
” What is multi-dimensional? It addresses lack of access to some basic things like education, health, portable drinking water, sanitation, etc. and who in our constitution is responsible for this things that I have spoken about? It is the sub-national government.
Nigeria is a recognized OGP leader in beneficial ownership, fiscal transparency, and civic space reforms. With a new administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, this is a critical moment to align national reforms with global accountability standards.
The delegation will engaged with the major stakeholders which includes ; Presidency, key ministers, civil society leaders, and development partners.
The discussion at the meeting focused on reinforce top-level commitment to OGP amid political transition, enable inclusive, transparent development of NAP IV.
The engagement also brought to the limelight Nigeria’s leadership role at the 2025 OGP Global Summit and Nigeria’s subnational innovation and partnerships, including PACE’s work in Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa states.
The visit showcased how Nigeria is leveraging OGP as a delivery platform for national priorities such as anti-corruption, service delivery, climate action, and digital governance. In this regard, PACE’s contributions to institutional strengthening, inclusive reform dialogue, and accountability mechanisms have been instrumental in advancing the OGP agenda at both national and subnational levels.
The National Team Lead for the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE), Mr. Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, described the engagement as a timely opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s journey with the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
“One of the key takeaways from this engagement — from the retreat to today’s sessions — is the urgent need to rethink how we frame and communicate the OGP,” he said. “Are we speaking in ways that connect with citizens? Do they see OGP as something they own and relate to?”
Mr. Ugwuoke noted that feedback, especially from civil society participants, pointed to a disconnect between the technical language often used and the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians.
“We talk about co-creation, accountability, beneficial ownership but these concepts can sound abstract or elitist. We need to simplify the message and highlight how these principles benefit real people in real ways,” he explained.
He emphasized that without inclusive and relatable framing, the OGP risks being seen as an external initiative. “For OGP to be truly effective, it must be co-created by both government and citizens. The narrative must evolve to reflect shared ownership and practical value for all,” he concluded.
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