The Federal Government’s dedication to openness, inclusivity, and public involvement in government is reaffirmed by the Presidency’s new rules for the quarterly Stakeholder and Citizens’ Engagement Meetings.
The updated terms, which include more stringent requirements to guarantee that these meetings function as authentic forums for communication between the people and the government, were announced on Wednesday by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), which is part of the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
The CDCU claims that these interactions were implemented in response to President Bola Tinubu’s order requiring all ministries to convey government policies, projects, and public welfare programs on a regular basis.
The statement said, “This deliverable is to ensure active citizen participation, promote inclusivity, cultivate positive relationships between the government and citizens, and bridge the gap between the two.”
The Presidency emphasized that these interactions will minimize misunderstandings and disinformation while also improving public awareness of government initiatives.
The updated regulations’ new requirements for ministries are:
Each interaction must be personally led by the minister, who must be joined by the permanent secretary and other ministry leaders.
At least one engagement meeting must be held by each ministry every three months in order to give updates and get direct input.
The media, professional associations, civil society organizations, and regular people must all be involved.
For the purpose of maximizing public awareness, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation will coordinate media involvement.
Not every ministerial public appearance will be considered a stakeholder engagement, the CDCU clarified.
The statement stated, “Ministers who give scheduled interviews (on TV, radio, or at events) to explain policies without involving stakeholders will not count.”
Ministers who arrange familiarization trips for investors or attend public events without interacting with citizens in real time would also not be able to fulfill the criteria.
Transparency and Accountability
A copy of the minister’s presentation, an attendance list, a detailed report of the discussions and concerns raised, and evidence of how stakeholder feedback has influenced policy decisions are just a few of the documents ministries must submit as proof of each engagement in order to maintain accountability and compliance.
In order to ensure that public input shapes government policies and that they are effectively communicated, the Presidency reaffirmed that these new measures are intended to strengthen citizen-focused governance.
