The Nigeria government signed on to the OGP in 2016 and made commitments to drive accountability, transparency and inclusive citizen participation in governance. Within the past 9 years, Nigeria has implemented three National Action Plans (NAP) with ambitious reform commitments, co-creating its first, second and third NAPs in 2016, 2019 and 2022 respectively and currently implementing the third NAP which is to run from 2023 to 2025 alongside with civil society organizations.
Nigeria joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in July 2016 as the 70th member country, marking a significant step toward transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. Through its participation in the OGP, Nigeria has enhanced inclusiveness in decision-making, improved coordination among government agencies, and minimized duplication and resource wastage. It has also strengthened collaboration with civil society and fostered greater trust between the government and citizens.
Key institutions, such as the Budget Office of the Federation, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation, have leveraged the government’s commitment to openness to deliver on their mandates more effectively. As a result, the government has become increasingly responsive to citizen feedback and concerns, leading to more informed and impactful policymaking.
The National Action Plan (NAP) is a strategic roadmap that embodies the core objectives of the Open Government Partnership (OGP). It encompasses a broad range of thematic areas, each with specific commitments to be implemented by government institutions including Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) and the organized private sector (OPS). This collective effort aligns with the principles of openness, accountability, and citizen participation that define the OGP.
The NAP aims to deepen and mainstream transparency mechanisms and citizens’ engagement in the management of public resources across all sectors. Through a consultative process between government and non-state actors, the National Steering Committee (NSC) agreed to consolidate governance priorities into four thematic areas in the NAP. The thematic areas are: (1) promoting fiscal transparency; (2) access to information; (3) anti-corruption and asset disclosure; and, (4) citizen engagement and empowerment.
The NAPs which was developed along thematic interests: Fiscal transparency, public service delivery, extractive transparency, access to information, anti-corruption and asset recovery, participatory governance, inclusion, climate change and citizen engagement have recorded impact during the previous administration of President Muhammad Buhari, leading to Nigeria winning the OGP Impact Award for Commitment and progress in achieving her commitment to the OGP Principles.
Following the 2023 election transition, which led to the emergence of President Bola Tinubu for the 2023–2027 term, the administration has made several commitments and taken steps to deepen governance reforms. These include the relaunching of the Citizen Delivery Portal, approving Nigeria’s membership in the OGP Global Beneficial Ownership Leadership Group, enhancing the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO), and aligning the government’s 8-point agenda with the OGP process, particularly through the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on Taxation and Fiscal Reforms.
However, these efforts have not yet yielded significant improvements in accountability and public trust. Additionally, certain policy decisions by the current administration have contributed to economic challenges, including rising inflation, insecurity, poverty, and hunger, further impacting public confidence in governance.
The change in leadership across several government institutions following the transition has created gaps in institutional memory and a lack of continuity in understanding the roles of key agencies working toward the commitments outlined in National Action Plan III.
At the same time, a shrinking civic space, ineffective citizen engagement, growing public distrust, and limited access to accurate information have weakened citizens’ ability to demand accountability from the government. As a result, the sustainability of effective democratic governance, built on the principles of transparency and accountability in line with the OGP process, is increasingly at risk.
This challenge is even more pressing at a time when Africa is experiencing a shift toward military regimes, largely driven by a lack of inclusive governance and persistent corruption.
Transition towards a more open government
Prior to the President’s commitment, Nigeria had already engaged in several initiatives aimed at achieving a more open government. Many home grown anti-corruption reforms had been initiated by previous governments. The OGP initiative, therefore, presented a complimentary platform for increased transparency, accountability, global participation, peer learning and continuous self-assessment. It also provided an opportunity for enhanced vertical and horizontal coordination for improved impact on citizens. The country has also witnessed the application of technology and innovation in enhancing an open government as is evident in the following reforms:
Financial Management Systems: Implementation of the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has brought greater transparency to public financial management processes. The Federal Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant General and Budget Office regularly publish allocations of federation revenues to all tiers of government, and widely disseminate information on budget allocation and execution. Similarly, IPPIS has created a centralized database system for the Public Service with a single, accurate source of employee information.
Treasury Single Account (TSA): Full implementation of the TSA has enabled the government to better monitor the financial activities of over 900 MDAs from a single platform, reduced the amount the government loses in interest rates on borrowing from commercial banks, eliminated the process of cash backing MDAs’ accounts with commercial banks, improved the reconciliation process for MDA accounts and saved the government several billions of naira which would otherwise have been lost through corrupt practices.
Bank Verification Number (BVN): The implementation of the BVN initiative has created a centralized biometric identification system for the financial system. It has reduced fraudulent practices by dubious individuals and restored confidence in our banking industry given that it makes it possible to follow the trail of money.
Freedom of Information (FOI) Act: The enactment of the FOI Act in 2011 has made public records and information more freely available and accessible to Nigerians. Several government agencies have set up compliance structures that now enable them to respond to requests for information within the ambit of the law. The Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR) has adopted a unique electronic FOI platform on its website that gives real-time information to citizens and also encourages voluntary disclosure.
Public Procurement Act, 2007: The Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) is working to implement and improve transparent and competitive procurement processes in line with global open contracting principles. It is the objective of this government to pursue the automation of public procurement processes in all government agencies as the amendment to the act is ongoing at the National Assembly. Already the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has adopted the open contracting standards in its operations and is one of the first agencies of government to do so.
Beneficial Ownership Register: The Nigeria extractive industries transparency initiative (NEITI) first developed a register of beneficial owners of all companies operating in the Nigerian extractive industry. Nigeria open central register of persons with significant control (beneficial ownership register). On Thursday, 25 May 2023, Nigeria launched its Open Central Register of Beneficial Ownership (known as the Persons with Significant Control (PSC) Register) in line with its commitment at the Anti-Corruption Summit held in London on 12th May 2016.
Asset Declaration: The Code of Conduct Bureau is now able to implement its mandate of ensuring that public officers declare their assets promptly and such assets are verified and recorded in accordance with the law.
Socio-political and Economic Relevance of the National Action Plan
The National Action Plan seeks to improve the relationship between government and citizens by opening up governance for citizens to know and participate in how their government is being managed. It seeks to promote fiscal transparency through more citizen participation in the budget process, implementation of open contracting in the public sector, enhancing disclosure in the extractive industries, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the tax system and improving the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
The plan is also meant to ensure that corruption is rooted-out through the establishment of a public beneficial ownership register, the development of a platform for sharing information between government MDAs to detect and prevent corrupt practices, the strengthening of Nigeria’s asset recovery legislation and taking appropriate actions to coordinate anti-corruption activities.
Under the citizen’s engagement thematic area, the NAP led to the development of a permanent dialogue mechanism between citizens and government; review of legislation around transparency and accountability issues; and the adoption of a technology based citizens’ feedback on projects and programs. The last two commitments will improve access to information by increasing compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.
Beyond the commitments, the NAP also took into consideration cross cutting issues that will empower citizens to engage with the government and ensure proper dissemination and management of information. The cross cutting issues are: (i) Technology and Innovation; (ii) Monitoring and Evaluation; and (iii) Communication. To ensure effective deployment of these tools across all thematic areas, three working groups have been set up to develop implementation strategies and to articulate action plans to support the work of these groups.
Conclusion
Now that Nigeria is in the process of developing the NAP 4, the concern should be to take lessons from the past NAPS to enrich the development of the NAP4 on the three interrelated elements critical to advancing sustainable open governance reform. These are to (i) build high-level political commitment toward open government, (ii) empower government reformers through strategic civic engagement and (iii) support effective engagement by civil society organizations (CSOs). There exists a virtuous cycle between the state and non-state actors to relate effectively for open government commitments to be achieved. This process is expected to evolve into a virtuous cycle that will generate increasingly ambitious reforms, enhance citizen participation, and produce stronger and impact results. The idea is that the more civil society is engaged, the higher the likelihood of NAP policies and programs to be meaningful, ambitious, and to be implemented. In the words of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, “Openness indeed empowers the civil society to become a partner of government in the process of development. In that way, the government and the citizenry can accomplish so much more in terms of political, social and economic development”
Abuja, Nigeria – March 8, 2025 – International Women’s Day, first recognized by the United Nations in 1977, remains a vital global platform for celebrating progress and tackling the persistent challenges to achieving gender equality. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” highlights the urgent need for collective, decisive efforts to break systemic barriers and create a more equitable society.
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing gender equality through advocacy and systemic reforms. As a non-governmental organization and social enterprise, PPDC promotes transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance. A core aspect of our work focuses on gender-responsive reforms, ensuring that women have equal opportunities in economic and political participation, as well as access to justice.
Through research, advocacy, system strengthening, and capacity-building initiatives, PPDC has empowered over 1,000 women. Notably, our research has contributed to the adoption of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Bill and Action Plan in Kaduna State, marking a significant step toward institutionalizing policies that support women’s inclusion and economic growth.
Despite significant strides in the past 30 years, at the current pace, full gender equality may not be achieved until 2158, a delay that is unacceptable. To close this gap, urgent measures must be taken.
Call To Action
Sustain the enforcement of the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to protect women from all forms of violence and ensure legal safeguards for victims and survivors.
Accelerate the implementation of the National Gender Policy to drive gender-inclusive reforms in governance, economic participation, and leadership.
Fast-track the passage of the Alteration Bill for Special Seats for Women (HB 1349) to increase women’s representation in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
Close the gender pay gap by ensuring equal economic participation, fair wages, and greater representation of women in decision-making roles.
Implement the National Action Plan for United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 to recognize the impact of conflict on women and strengthen their role in peace and security processes.
Eradicate harmful socio-cultural norms that perpetuate discrimination, human rights violations, femicide and gender-based violence.
PPDC remains steadfast in its advocacy for inclusive governance, economic justice, and policies that empower women. As we commemorate this day, we call on governments, the private sector, and civil society to move beyond commitments and take concrete, immediate action. The time for equality is now.
About PPDC
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is a non-profit organisation committed to improving citizens participation in governance in a way that improves the integrity of public governance processes, fostering transparent and accountable governance. We empower citizens to actively participate in shaping their communities by driving institutional, behavioural, and systemic change.
The internet is a big global village that connects us all and brings many benefits, like making money, connecting with friends, and more. But, just like any job, staying safe online is essential. As it has been our custom since 2015, on February 6, 2024, PPDC celebrated Safer Internet Day (SID) to promote safe and responsible Internet use, especially among young users.
This year, the Safer Internet Day was marked at Junior Secondary School Durumi, Abuja. The theme for this year was “Together for a Better Internet” highlighting the importance of working together to make the Internet safe, so we talked to students about common practices that expose online users to security risks, safety measures, and also netiquette (internet ethics).
The in-depth conversations covered; how to be a responsible netizen by treating others online with respect, thinking before they post, and reporting any instances of cyberbullying or harmful content. The students were also encouraged not to believe everything they saw online. They were finally encouraged to empower others by sharing their knowledge about online safety with friends and classmates, creating a network of responsible digital citizens.
The students enjoyed the interaction, played puzzles, and watched our short film ‘Feisty John,’ which gives tips on dealing with cyberbullies. Two of the students had this to say;
“I learnt more about what two-factor authentication is, what you can use it for, and its importance in social media accounts.” -Ogbonna Wisdom
“Today, I learned the importance of promoting cybersecurity rather than cyberbullying.” – Nufi Jessica
Check out some pictures from the event and remember, a better internet starts with YOU!
Enjoy!
For more info, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Tiktok @PPDCng.
The present-day digital landscape is quite complex: while offering unparalleled connectivity and convenience, it simultaneously exposes individuals to heightened cybersecurity risks. Individuals increasingly navigate a digital landscape intertwined with their personal lives. As online activities overrule daily routines, concerns regarding data privacy and security escalate. This blog post examines the importance of data privacy, explores common online threats, and outlines best practices for safeguarding personal information in the digital realm.
What is Data Privacy and why is it important?
To understand the concept of data privacy, the distinction between data privacy and data protection has to be addressed. Cloudflare defines, “Data privacy as the ability of a person to determine when, how, and to what extent personal information about them is shared with or communicated to others. This personal information can be one’s name, location, contact information, or online or real-world behaviour.”
Data protection, on the other hand, is having legal control over access to and use of data stored in computers. While data privacy provides the opportunity for online users to manage how their data is used and shared, data protection provides the legal backing for when data is misused.
The 2024 Data Privacy Day theme, “Take Control of Your Data,” emphasizes the responsibility individuals hold in safeguarding their personal information. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that data protection laws and individual control exist within a complex ecosystem. While legal frameworks aim to ensure responsible data handling by organizations, absolute control remains difficult to achieve. The effectiveness of these laws can vary depending on jurisdiction, and enforcement mechanisms may have varying degrees of success. Additionally, the ever-evolving technological landscape continuously challenges the scope and reach of existing legal frameworks.
While recognizing the limitations of data protection laws as discussed above, it’s encouraging to see regulations like Section 28(1) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) taking proactive steps toward individual data control. It states that “data controllers are obligated to perform a data privacy impact assessment where processing personal data could potentially pose a substantial risk to the rights and freedoms of a data subject, taking into consideration the nature, scope, context, and purpose of the data.”
This section mandates data controllers to perform a data privacy impact assessment (DPIA) whenever processing personal data as it poses a high risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms. This requirement empowers individuals by shifting the responsibility onto data controllers. By requiring a DPIA, the law compels organizations to proactively evaluate potential privacy risks and implement necessary safeguards before processing data.
Data breaches, unfortunately, extend beyond the digital realm. Offline breaches can occur due to improper physical document disposal, and exposing sensitive information to unauthorized individuals. Additionally, mishandling sensitive data, even within authorized access, can lead to unintentional disclosures. This highlights the multi-sided nature of data security and the need for vigilance across all areas.
Therefore, individual empowerment through responsible online behaviour and informed choices remains paramount. Understanding data collection practices, adjusting privacy settings, and employing robust security measures like strong passwords and multi-factor authentication are crucial steps individuals can take to mitigate risks and reclaim ownership of their data within the boundaries set by the legal landscape.
You can protect your data by using services with encryption features. Encryption entails putting a secret code on a message so that only those with the right “key” can understand or decipher the original content. It helps protect sensitive information, such as personal data, passwords, or financial details, by making it unreadable to anyone who doesn’t have the proper decryption key.
Social messaging platforms like Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram use end-to-end encryption.
Multi-factor and Two-factor Authentication (2FA) are security processes that add an extra layer of protection beyond just a password. In simple terms, it requires two or more different types of identification before granting access to a system or account.
Something You Know (Password): The first factor is something you know, like your password. This is the standard way most systems authenticate users.
Something You Have (Authentication Code): The second factor is something you have, typically a temporary code sent to your mobile device or generated by an authentication app. You need this code in addition to your password to log in.
Something You Are (Features): This involves biometric factors like fingerprints, retinal scans, or facial recognition.
By requiring all factors, even if someone knows your password, they still need the second piece (the code from your phone, for example) to gain access. Multi-factor and Two-factor authentication significantly enhance the security of online accounts by making it more challenging for unauthorized individuals to access your information.
Avoid using free Wi-Fi: When you are in a public place, avoid connecting your mobile phones or computers to public Wi-Fi. If you must, do not use it to make financial transactions or send messages that have personal/private details in them. Another mechanism you can adopt is to use VPNs. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow you to connect to the internet through an encrypted tunnel, ensuring that your online activities remain private and secure.
With so much of our information online, oversharing on social media can be a contributor to getting hacked. While posting on social media, be sure to take into cognizance the specifics of the information (e.g. personal details like favourite color, favourite pet, or childhood home). All of these are pertinent information to hackers that can be used to create your identity and persona to aid their malicious activity.
Profile Trees’ 2023 Recent Statistics of the Most Common Attacks, states that Phishing attacks have increased by 130.5% since 2017, and they are still on the rise. Phishing is another means through which hackers and scammers attempt to gain unauthorized access to someone’s data. Phishing entails deceptive tactics aimed at tricking individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or other confidential details.
You fall for a phishing scam when you open spam links on texts, emails, or links that lead to fake websites. To protect yourself from phishing attempts, avoid clicking on links or messages you don’t know who the sender is. Also, double-check the legitimacy of emails you’re unsure of before opening their attachments (e.g., Nigerian Prince emails proposing money to be claimed).
Conclusion
In today’s world, the digital landscape plays a significant role in our daily lives, taking control of your data is more than a safe choice. It’s a crucial responsibility. Implementing the practices outlined in this blog post, such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and mindful online behavior, forms the foundation for individual cybersecurity and protection against potential threats.
However, individual vigilance alone cannot adequately address the challenges of the digital age. This is where organizations like the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) play a crucial role. PPDC’s commitment to good governance and individual empowerment fosters collective action and promotes responsible data practices through collaborative initiatives and targeted advocacy. By championing transparency, accountability, and robust legal frameworks, PPDC empowers individuals and organizations to navigate the online environment with greater confidence and security.
Remember, safeguarding your digital footprint is not just self-protection; it’s about contributing to a safer, more trustworthy online ecosystem for all. By adopting proactive measures, and advocating for responsible digital citizenship, we can collectively build a secure and sustainable digital future for everyone. The journey toward effective data governance begins with individual awareness and action, but its success hinges on collaborative efforts and shared responsibility.
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) With support from the MacArthur Foundation hosted a Validation Workshop and Focus Group Discussion, on enhancing procurement practices in Adamawa State. The workshop was aimed at fostering transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public procurement processes within the state.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media representatives, and vulnerable groups such as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and women. This diverse representation underscores the commitment of the Adamawa State Government to inclusivity and collaboration in the pursuit of improved procurement practices.
During the workshop, participants engaged in discussions, share insights and evaluate the findings of the Public Procurement Assessment Report.
According to Ife Olatunji-David, PPDC’s Senior Program Advisor, the report being presented is the result of rigorous research, comprehensive data analysis, and extensive stakeholder consultations. It provides a holistic assessment of compliance with the Public Procurement Law and the Freedom of Information Act, as well as an evaluation of gender equality and social inclusiveness in open contracting within the education and health sectors in Adamawa State”
The focus group discussions enabled stakeholders to identify innovative solutions, address challenges, and lay the groundwork for a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive procurement system.
Mr Zare Baba, a staff of the Bureau of Public Procurement Adamawa state, highlighted that Administrative bottlenecks impede the process of prompt access to data, however, this workshop has identified new ideas which will help improve access to procurement data.
The Validation Workshop specifically addressed key aspects such as compliance with the Public Procurement Law and the Freedom of Information Act, gender equality, and social inclusiveness in open contracting within the education and health sectors in Adamawa State. By focusing on these critical areas, the workshop aimed to enhance procurement efficiency, value for money, and equal opportunities for all segments of society. The workshop also served as a platform for stakeholders to collectively assess existing practices, develop strategies for improvement, and enhance the procurement system in Adamawa State. By working together, participants will contribute to the overall advancement of the education and health sectors, positively impacting the lives of citizens.
Mr Ishaka Donal Dedan, the Chairman of the Adamawa State NUJ, expressed that the two-day workshop provided him with valuable insights from a journalistic standpoint. He emphasized that the workshop has empowered him to effectively hold the government accountable by utilizing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has been at the forefront of promoting enhanced procurement practices, open contracting, and the use of the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) within several states in Nigeria. PPDC will continue to provide technical and capacity-building support to stakeholders and work together to transform procurement processes and foster transparency, accountability, and inclusivity across various states in Nigeria.
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