Open Government Partnership (OGP) Nigeria is seeking to adopt a framework to model the OGP international operating procedure of the National Steering Committees (NSC) that requires a multi-stakeholder engagement and equal representation of government and non-state actors in the Steering Committee.
To this end, a policy paper on standard operating procedures of the NSC and the coordination framework for OGP Nigeria was presented at its inaugural meeting which took place in Abuja on March 14, 2017 for approval.
The policy paper in its introduction sets out the context which is to model the OGP Nigeria governance framework after the international mechanism. It goes on to add that the process requires a multi-stakeholder engagement and equal representation of government and non-state actors in the steering committee which process was achieved when in July 2016 during a stakeholders session on OGP and the implementation of the President’s commitments in the London anti-corruption summit when government agencies and civil society organisations self-selected their representatives. President Muhammadu Buhari subsequently approved the Committee list.
The paper expatiated on various aspects of the OGP Nigeria process already in place including the responsibilities of the OGP Nigeria Steering Committee and equal representation of members of the Steering Committee; Co-Chairs for the OGP National Plan (Governance and Leadership Sub-Committee); and duration of OGP Co-Chair and positions for incoming Co-Co-Chairs.
The policy paper also clarified other issues including selection or appointment or election of state and non-state actors; election of working group Co-chairs; reports of the National Steering Committee; communication with stakeholders; and funding of the Secretariat.
It then listed four issues for consideration and approval of the Committee: it sought approval to consider inclusion into the steering committee of two additional civil society organizations as well as admission of one of two private sector institutions have also applied to be members.
The secretariat will also calls for members of the Committee forward nominations for the in-coming co-chair positions by June.
The paper also sought for approval that some organisation be confirmed as co-chairs of the seven working groups to enable them continue to lead their working groups until 2018 when the working groups will be required to re-elect the co-chairs or choose another co-chairs.
