The Honourable Minster of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has described the idea of developing a new National Action Plan (NAP III), for the implementation of Open Government Partnership in Nigeria, as a welcome development.
The Minister who also doubles as the Government Co-Chair of OGP Nigeria, stated this recently, while declaring open a 3-day Retreat for the development of Nigeria’s OGP NAP III which held at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.
Acknowledging the efforts of sate and non-state actors to the development and sustenance of the OGP in Nigeria, Prince Agba, who was represented at the occasion by his Special Adviser on OGP Matters, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, also admonished them to work even harder to deliver on the commitments of the action plan.
He however highlighted some remarkable achievements that NAP II recorded to include; a more open and participatory budgetary process, the beneficial ownership register soon to be launched, upgrading of the open procurement portal as well as improvement in government collaboration with civil society.
Also speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of OGP Nigeria, Dr. Gloria Ahmed noted that over 5000 recommendations were received from citizens who were invited to make inputs and suggestions for commitments and thematic areas, for the development of new National Action Plan (NAP III) which began in April 2022, and witnessed a public consultation process.
Dr. Ahmed informed the gathering that the second National Action Plan (NAP) II of the Nigerian Open Government Partnership (OGP) which commenced in 2019 is billed to end in August 2022 hence the need to develop a third one otherwise known as NAP III.
According to her, The 3-Day OGP NAP Retreat therefore became necessary to create the desired opportunity for members to come together to critically review the draft submitted by the NAP III Draft Committed, articulate the issues and come up with a fresh draft for presentation to NSC for ratification, approval and further action that will lead to presidential assent to the document before implementation.
The Open Government Partnership Initiative brings together government and civil society champions of reforms who recognize that government are most likely to be more effective and credible when governance is open to public input and oversight.
In line with the need to drive the Open Government Partnership initiative (OGP) in Nigeria, which is aimed at deepening governance reforms and promoting the fight against corruption, Nigeria is currently implementing her second National Action Plan which will elapse in August 2022, as plans are underway to develop its third OGP National Action Plan.