In a move to strengthen transparency, inclusivity, and public participation in governance, the Federal Government has introduced new guidelines for its quarterly Stakeholder and Citizens Engagement Meetings. The directive, issued by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, mandates ministries to adopt a structured and interactive approach to these engagements.
According to the CDCU, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive requiring all ministers to regularly communicate government policies, initiatives, and programmes to the public. The engagements are designed to bridge the gap between government institutions and citizens, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that government decisions reflect public input.
New Guidelines for Ministries
Under the revised framework, ministries are required to:
- Hold at least one engagement meeting per quarter, with the minister personally leading the session alongside the Permanent Secretary and senior officials.
- Ensure high-level stakeholder participation, involving civil society organisations, professional associations, media representatives, and the general public.
- Facilitate real-time feedback from citizens, which will be considered in policy reviews and government decision-making.
- Guarantee media coverage, with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation playing a key role in coordinating press participation across print, electronic, and digital platforms.
Exclusions from Stakeholder Engagement Criteria
The Presidency clarified that not all public appearances by ministers qualify as stakeholder engagements. Excluded activities include:
- Television, radio, or event interviews where no direct stakeholder participation occurs.
- Ministerial speeches at events that do not involve structured public interaction.
- Familiarisation visits by investors that lack a participatory engagement framework.
To ensure compliance, ministries are required to submit comprehensive documentation, including official invitations to stakeholders, attendance records, copies of ministerial presentations, and detailed reports on discussions held. Additionally, ministries must demonstrate how feedback received has influenced government policies and decision-making processes.
The Presidency emphasized that these measures reaffirm its commitment to a citizen-centric governance model, ensuring that policies are effectively communicated and shaped by public discourse.
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