Maryam Aminu
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to open governance, transparency, and youth development through strengthened collaboration with civil society and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative.
At a high-level engagement held in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development and Co-Chair of Nigeria’s OGP, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, emphasized the importance of sustained partnerships between government institutions and non-state actors in fostering transparency, accountability, and civic engagement.
“The OGP platform has consistently proven to be an effective mechanism for sustained engagement between Ministries and non-state actors,” Olawande said. “The progress we’ve made would not have been possible without the dedication of the OGP Secretariat and our civil society stakeholders.”
The Minister praised the guidance of elder statesmen and civil society leaders, describing their mentorship as pivotal to the Ministry’s achievements.
He also lamented what he described as a growing departure from shared values and ethical leadership among the youth.
“Nigeria’s problem is not a lack of accountability structures, but a gradual erosion of our shared values,” he stated. “We must reawaken our young people to the importance of ethics, integrity, and national service. A society that neglects its values is a society at risk.”
In his remarks, Mr. Soji Apampa, the incoming Global OGP Co-Chair, acknowledged the Minister’s dedication and reaffirmed the stakeholders’ commitment to strengthening the OGP initiative in Nigeria.
“We appreciate the Honourable Minister’s leadership and look forward to meaningful progress, especially in finalizing the National Action Plan and ensuring presidential assent,” Apampa said.
Mr. Aiden Eyakuze, CEO of the Global OGP, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, stressing the need for inclusive governance and youth value reorientation.
“Accountability tools exist, but the deeper issue is the declining adherence to values that bind society,” Eyakuze noted. “The OGP remains a trusted space for dialogue and joint action. The role of civil society in this journey cannot be overstated.”
The engagement concluded with a unified pledge from both government and civil society representatives to bolster youth participation, enhance governance reforms, and foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and shared national values.
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