Kaduna Institutionalises Infrastructure Transparency with Formal Launch of OC4IDS Portal

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna 

Kaduna State has formally institutionalised transparency in public infrastructure delivery with the launch of the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard (OC4IDS) Disclosure Portal, reinforcing its position as a leading subnational reformer in open governance in Nigeria.

The portal was launched on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed Monrovia. 

The initiative is implemented under the CoST Infrastructure Transparency Initiative, a global programme supported by the United Kingdom.

In his keynote address, Governor Uba Sani described the launch as a defining moment in Kaduna’s infrastructure governance journey, stressing that transparency and accountability are no longer optional but central to effective service delivery. 

He said infrastructure development must be matched with openness if public investments are to deliver real value to citizens.

The Governor noted that while Kaduna has previously recorded progress through the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) portal, the OC4IDS framework provides a more comprehensive and infrastructure-specific approach. 

By disclosing data from project conception through execution and completion, the portal enables citizens, civil society organisations, and private sector actors to follow projects in real time and hold duty bearers accountable.

According to him, the OC4IDS portal represents a shift from isolated data publication to a citizen-focused transparency system where information is accessible, usable, and relevant. 

He added that the platform would strengthen collaboration across government institutions, reduce project risks, and improve public confidence in infrastructure delivery.

Earlier, the Director General of the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), Engr. Sanusi A. Yero, FNSE, said the OC4IDS portal builds on ongoing procurement reforms aimed at improving value for money and restoring trust in public institutions. 

He explained that the platform allows stakeholders to track infrastructure projects across planning, procurement, implementation, and completion stages using standardized and credible data.

Engr. Yero added that open infrastructure data enhances accountability, enables early detection of delays and cost overruns, and supports informed public engagement. 

He noted that transparency in procurement and project delivery ultimately strengthens service quality and reinforces confidence in government decision-making.

The launch attracted commendation from international partners.

Speaking virtually, the Head of Members at CoST, Evelyn Hernandez, praised Kaduna State for its leadership in combining contract-led and project-led data under the OC4IDS framework. 

She welcomed the formal launch of the disclosure portal, describing it as a critical step toward improved compliance and consistent data communication.

Hernandez observed that Kaduna has significantly expanded the volume and scope of infrastructure data available to the public and urged the state to focus on translating disclosure into data use through advanced cost and performance tools. 

She highlighted the CoST Infrastructure Transparency Index as a key mechanism for identifying systemic gaps and strengthening reform outcomes.

Providing background on the CoST programme, the CoST Manager, Tara Jeremiah Wyah, recalled that Kaduna became the first subnational government in Nigeria to join the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative in 2023. 

He explained that CoST works to improve value for money in public infrastructure by promoting transparency and accountability throughout the construction project lifecycle.

Wyah identified major challenges confronting infrastructure delivery in Kaduna, including eroding trust among sector stakeholders, declining quality of public works, delayed payments, institutional bottlenecks, and fragmented data. 

He said the CoST Infrastructure Data Standard addresses these issues by requiring disclosure of 67 key data points covering project identification, preparation, tendering, contract implementation, and completion.

With the OC4IDS portal now operational, stakeholders at the event agreed that Kaduna State is setting a strong precedent for subnational governments across Nigeria. 

The success of the initiative, they noted, will depend on sustained political will and active use of the platform by citizens, civil society organisations, and the private sector to drive accountability and better infrastructure outcomes.