ACTIVITIES OF THE OPEN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP IN NIGERIA SINCE INCEPTION IN 2016 TILL DATE

Abstract

This paper examines Nigeria’s participation in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) since its accession in 2016, analyzing the scope, achievements, and ongoing challenges of the initiative within the country’s governance landscape. Rooted in global efforts to promote transparency, accountability, civic participation, and technology-driven governance, Nigeria’s adoption of the OGP framework marked a strategic shift toward institutional reform and inclusive policy-making. The study traces the evolution of civic space prior to OGP membership and provides a thematic analysis of Nigeria’s three National Action Plans (NAPs), focusing on key pillars: Transparency, Accountability, Citizen Participation, and Technology and Innovation. Notable achievements include enhanced fiscal openness, increased citizen engagement in the budget process, improved procurement transparency, establishment of digital monitoring tools, and the implementation of inclusive governance practices. Despite evident progress, the study also highlights persistent barriers such as limited institutional capacity, uneven subnational adoption, and challenges in sustaining reform momentum. The paper concludes by offering forward-looking recommendations for strengthening Nigeria’s OGP commitments through deeper civic collaboration, broader subnational implementation, and technological innovation, particularly as the country prepares for its fourth National Action Plan (NAP IV). The research underscores OGP’s strategic relevance in advancing Nigeria’s democratic governance and accountability structures.