Kaduna Deepens Infrastructure Transparency, trains Officials on Disclosure Portal, OC4IDS/OCDS

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

As part of efforts towards institutionalizing transparency and accountability in public infrastructure delivery, the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) has kicked off a two-day capacity-building workshop focused on disclosure and data publication using the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS) and the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS).

The training brought together representatives from procuring Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations, the private sector and the media to operationalize a newly launched infrastructure disclosure portal, developed under the CoST Infrastructure Transparency Initiative.

In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of the PBC, who was represented Bashir Ladan, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, underscored the state’s commitment to embedding global standards in infrastructure governance.

“This workshop marks a significant milestone in Kaduna State’s journey toward greater transparency, accountability, and sustainability in our infrastructure sector,” he said.

Kaduna State is the only sub-national governments in Nigeria selected to receive a prestigious grant from CoST the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, a UK-based organization dedicated to promoting openness and citizen participation in public infrastructure. 

Through the grant, the state has established a robust Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and a comprehensive digital portal that integrates both OC4IDS and OCDS frameworks, designed to allow real-time access to project data by citizens and stakeholders.

The Commissioner explained that the portal is a game-changer in Kaduna’s infrastructure landscape.

“It provides us with the opportunity to publish comprehensive data on infrastructure projects and paves the way for implementing CoST’s assurance and social accountability pillars. It also positions Kaduna to participate in the Infrastructure Transparency Index (ITI), a global tool for tracking the transparency of public infrastructure delivery,” he noted.

Also speaking at the event, Hannatu Ahuwan, civil society representative on the MSG, called for the full utilization of the platform as more than just a technical tool.

“It’s not just about using the portal or uploading data. The real question is: what does this data translate into? What impact will it have for Kaduna State?” she said.

Ahuwan emphasized that Kaduna’s involvement in the CoST initiative should not be a symbolic gesture.

“Let it not be about ticking boxes or being one of the states on the map implementing CoST. Let it be that what we’re doing here is truly driving governance reform through transparency and accountability,” she added.

She encouraged first-time participants to engage fully and use the training to build capacity that can translate into measurable improvements in service delivery and public trust.

On his part, Chairman, Contractors Association of Kaduna State, Ahmed Baba, in his remarks, highlighted the private sector’s interest in ensuring the longevity and functionality of the platform.

“I remember when this initiative began two years ago. I’ve witnessed the journey, the ups and downs and the strong support from government agencies like the PBC and Public Procurement Authority, as well as our UK partners. It’s been impressive,” Baba said.

However, he stressed the need for sustainability.

“Timely and accurate data is essential, not just for transparency’s sake, but for us in the private sector to access, use, and respond accordingly. This is why MDAs must fully commit to updating the portal with complete and accurate data,” he urged.

Baba pointed out that the private sector often operates outside of policymaking circles, making access to reliable infrastructure data vital for planning, bidding, and project execution.

As Kaduna State continues to position itself as a national leader in open contracting and infrastructure governance, the workshop marks a pivotal moment in ensuring that data transparency translates into real-world outcomes.

The State now hopes that the full operationalization of the portal, combined with cross-sector collaboration, will foster trust, reduce corruption, and improve the quality of infrastructure delivered to its citizens.