The Kogi State Open Government Partnership (OGP) State Steering Committee (SSC) has stepped up efforts to ensure the full implementation of the state’s first State Action Plan (SAP I) before its expiration in November 2026, opting against an immediate extension of the programme.
The decision was reached during the committee’s second quarter meeting in Lokoja, where government representatives and civil society organisations reviewed progress on the action plan and adopted fresh strategies to fast-track outstanding commitments.
Speaking at the meeting, the Non-State Actors Co-Chair and Executive Director of the Renaissance Care and Empowerment Foundation, Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts towards achieving full implementation of SAP I within the remaining months.
He also commended civil society organisations for their unwavering commitment to advancing open governance in Kogi State.
The State Actors Co-Chair and Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Asiru Idris, reiterated the commitment of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration to promoting transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.
He disclosed that the state government had concluded plans to fully digitise governance processes through an electronic governance system designed to enhance efficiency and improve public service delivery.
Asiru also applauded civil society groups, particularly the Kogi Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (KONGONET), for embracing dialogue and constructive engagement with government institutions.
He noted that KONGONET sought clarification from the government over allegations contained in a publication by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), thereby giving the state the opportunity to respond with facts.
The committee considered progress reports submitted by the Technical Working Group (TWG) and approved a series of measures aimed at accelerating implementation of pending commitments.
Among the decisions taken were the adoption of virtual meetings for routine engagements, with physical meetings to be convened only when necessary, and the approval of bi-weekly Technical Working Group meetings to be hosted by relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Members also agreed to prioritise commitments relating to access to information, fiscal and procurement transparency, as well as transparency in the extractive sector.
Although a proposal for a 12-month extension of SAP I was presented, the committee deferred consideration of the request after expressing confidence that the remaining commitments could be completed before the November deadline.
Instead, members resolved to engage heads of relevant MDAs to speed up implementation and approved the engagement of a consultant within four weeks to commence the development of the second State Action Plan (SAP II).
The committee agreed that the issue of extending SAP I would only be revisited after evaluating the impact of the newly adopted implementation measures.
In its closing remarks, the OGP Secretariat commended members for their dedication and called for sustained collaboration to ensure the successful completion of SAP I.
It also advocated greater public awareness and capacity-building initiatives to deepen citizens’ participation in the Open Government Partnership process across the state.
