On Wednesday, the Presidency announced new conditions for the quarterly Stakeholder and Citizen Engagement Meetings, underscoring the Federal Government’s dedication to transparency, inclusivity, and active citizen participation in governance.
The guidelines, issued by the Central Delivery Coordination Unit under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, establish stricter requirements for ministries to ensure these meetings function as authentic platforms for public engagement.
According to the CDCU, these engagement meetings were initiated as a deliverable for every ministry in response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive that all ministers regularly update the public on government initiatives, beneficial programmes, and policies.
“This deliverable aims to bridge the gap between the government and citizens, foster a positive relationship between both parties, promote inclusivity, and ensure active citizen participation,” the statement read.
The meetings are expected to enhance public understanding of government policies while helping to prevent misinterpretation.
Under the new conditions, each ministry is required to hold at least one stakeholder or citizen engagement meeting every quarter, with the minister leading the session alongside the permanent secretary and other senior officials.
The CDCU stressed that these engagements must facilitate high-level interactions where government officials not only inform the public but also receive direct feedback from stakeholders, which will be taken into account for policy adjustments.
To ensure wide participation, the CDCU stipulated that the meetings must include civil society organisations, professional groups, the media, and ordinary citizens.
It emphasised that the mass media—both print and electronic, including major online platforms—must be invited to cover these engagements to maximise public awareness.
The Ministry of Information and National Orientation is also tasked with coordinating media participation.
The CDCU clarified that not all ministerial public appearances count as stakeholder engagements.
Such instances include “Ministers granting scheduled interviews (TV, radio, or at events) to explain policies without stakeholders’ involvement” and “Ministers attending events and speaking about Ministry activities without stakeholders’ participation,” as stated.
Moreover, recorded familiarisation visits by investors will not be seen as a substitute for these meetings.
Instead, interactions must be structured, inclusive, and participatory, allowing for genuine citizen engagement, the unit stated.
The feedback process, it emphasised, is a crucial component of these sessions.
Therefore, “ministers and ministry officials must be prepared to address concerns raised by stakeholders both during and after the meetings,” the statement read.
To ensure transparency, the Presidency stated that ministries must provide evidence of compliance, including copies of invitation letters sent to stakeholders, an attendance list, a copy of the minister’s presentation, and a detailed report of the discussions held.
Additionally, ministries must document specific feedback received and provide evidence of how it has been implemented in government decision-making.
With these new guidelines, the Presidency reaffirms its commitment to citizen-centric governance, ensuring that government policies are not only communicated effectively but also shaped by public input.
