The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) commenced a two-day peer learning session today to strengthen open governance practices across the Federal Capital Territory’s six area councils.
The initiative, part of Centre LSD’s project “Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Governance Process through the Implementation of Open Government Partnership in Nigeria” brought together 45 participants, including council officials, civil society representatives, and governance experts.
According to Programme Coordinator and OGP Project Lead Mr. Lawal Amodu, the session creates a platform for AMAC, Gwagwalada, and Kwali – the three councils that have already joined OGP – to share their experiences with Abaji, Bwari, and Kuje councils, which have yet to join the partnership.
“This peer learning exercise will help the participating councils improve their governance practices and encourage those yet to join to sign up to the OGP,” said Amodu. The session will also feature insights from Kaduna’s local councils, particularly their experiences with participatory budgeting.
Amodu highlighted that five FCT area councils received OGP orientation and advocacy workshops in 2023, resulting in Gwagwalada and Kwali joining the partnership. AMAC had already been a member before these workshops.
“Our goal now is to encourage the remaining councils to join OGP, as it makes governance more transparent, accountable, and citizen-driven,” Amodu explained.
The peer learning session will equip council representatives with tools and knowledge to enhance open government practices in their localities, furthering Nigeria’s commitment to the OGP’s transparency and accountability objectives.
Centre LSD invites citizens to follow and engage with the OGP Project through their social media channels for updates and developments from the session.
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