The Nigerian Presidency has introduced stricter guidelines for quarterly Stakeholder and Citizens Engagement Meetings. The move is part of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and public involvement in governance.
The new directives were issued through the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination. Ministries are now required to hold at least one stakeholder or citizen engagement meeting every quarter, with the minister, the Permanent Secretary, and senior officials personally leading these sessions.
The CDCU noted that these meetings aim to bridge the gap between the government and citizens, foster a stronger relationship, and encourage active public participation. The discussions will allow government officials not only to share information on policies and initiatives but also to receive direct feedback from the public.
To ensure broad participation, the meetings must include representatives from civil society organizations, professional groups, the media, and the general public. The CDCU also stressed that traditional and digital media platforms must be involved in covering these engagements to maximize public awareness. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation has been tasked with coordinating media participation.
It was also clarified that not all public appearances by ministers will count as stakeholder engagement. The CDCU noted that activities such as scheduled TV or radio interviews and public speeches without stakeholder interaction do not meet the criteria. Additionally, familiarization visits by investors will not be considered a substitute for these structured meetings.
A key requirement of the meetings is a clear feedback process. The CDCU stated that ministers and top officials must respond to concerns raised by participants both during and after the engagements. Ministries are also expected to provide evidence of compliance, including invitation letters sent to stakeholders, attendance lists, copies of presentations, and detailed reports of discussions held.
Furthermore, ministries must document specific feedback received from the public and show proof of how this input has influenced policy decisions.
