Kaduna Sets New Course for Reforms, Extends OGP State Action Plan
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
Kaduna State has formally extended its third State Action Plan under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
The extension was validated on Thursday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Planning and Budget Commission Conference Hall, where government officials, civil society actors, and the media reviewed progress and agreed on next steps for the 2024–2027 cycle.
Speaking at the event, OGP Citizens Co-Chair, Abdulganiy Mubarak, said the decision to extend the action plan was driven by the need to consolidate ongoing reforms and accommodate emerging priorities.
“Our leadership cycle was supposed to end in December, but this extension allows us to sustain momentum, strengthen collaboration, and develop more ambitious and resilient plans,” he said.
Mubarak emphasised that the OGP process remains rooted in citizen engagement, noting that consultations across communities have helped shape reforms and identify critical gaps.
He also disclosed that Kaduna would leverage the upcoming OGP Global Week in May to deepen public awareness and engagement, particularly through strategic media outreach.
The State’s OGP Point of Contact, Tara Jeremiah, stressed that the extension must be guided by clear, measurable milestones capable of driving real change.
“Milestones are the results the action plan is meant to deliver. They are what create impact in society, not just activities,” he said.
Jeremiah highlighted the importance of aligning the action plan with government priorities, noting that reforms must complement the administration’s broader development agenda.
He also pointed to growing grassroots participation, citing Kaduna South as the first local government in the state to join OGP, a move expected to expand citizen engagement at the community level.
In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Mukhtar Ahmed, described the extended plan as a continuation of five key commitment areas aimed at strengthening governance outcomes.
“This validation is to assess what we have achieved and ensure that commitments, especially those requiring government action are given proper attention,” he said.
Ahmed identified the provision of office space for civil society organisations as a landmark step, signalling the government’s openness to inclusive governance.
He added that community-driven projects across political wards are helping to shape development priorities, with several initiatives aligning with OGP commitments.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC), Ben Kure, commended the state’s reform efforts and urged stakeholders to maintain high standards.
“There is a difference between doing what is good and what is right. What we are doing here today is both good and right,” he said.
Kure emphasised the role of reflection and continuous learning in sustaining progress, calling for sustained collaboration among government, media, and civil society.
The validation meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to strengthen implementation, enhance monitoring of results, and ensure that the extended action plan delivers tangible benefits to citizens.
Kaduna remains one of Nigeria’s leading subnational actors in the OGP process, advancing reforms designed to promote open, inclusive, and accountable governance.
