In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and promoting citizen participation in governance, President Bola Tinubu has ordered that all ministers in his administration hold quarterly public briefings. These meetings, referred to as Stakeholder and Citizens Engagement Meetings, are part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to keep Nigerians informed about government activities, policies, and programs.
The Presidency made this announcement on Wednesday, highlighting that these engagements will ensure that citizens have direct access to government officials and are given the opportunity to provide feedback. This initiative aligns with the Tinubu administration’s ongoing commitment to improve governance and make it more inclusive.
According to the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), the new requirement for quarterly meetings was introduced as part of President Tinubu’s directive that all ministers actively communicate government actions and policies to the public. This effort is also intended to prevent the misinterpretation of government initiatives and enhance the public’s understanding of the work being done by the administration.
“These meetings are a critical step towards fostering better relationships between the government and the public,” said a statement from the CDCU. “They are meant to be platforms where ministers can explain government programs, while also taking the time to listen to the concerns and suggestions of citizens.”
The Presidency stressed that these meetings would allow government officials to not only share information about their ministries but also engage with citizens in real-time, addressing their concerns and gathering useful feedback that could lead to improvements in government policies.
The new guidelines released by the CDCU emphasise that each ministry must hold at least one engagement meeting every quarter. These sessions must be led by the minister in charge, with the Permanent Secretary and other senior officials of the ministry also in attendance. The meetings are expected to be interactive, with an emphasis on meaningful participation from all parties involved.
Furthermore, the Presidency made it clear that these engagement meetings must be inclusive. They must involve civil society organizations, professional groups, media representatives, and ordinary citizens. By ensuring a diverse mix of participants, the government hopes to receive a broad spectrum of opinions and feedback, which can be used to improve policies.
The CDCU also made it clear that the media has a significant role to play in these engagements. The mass media, including both traditional and digital platforms, must be invited to cover the meetings to maximize public awareness. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation will be responsible for coordinating the media participation, ensuring that the public is well-informed about the discussions and outcomes of these engagements.
While ministers are often seen at public events or granting interviews to the media, the Presidency clarified that not all such appearances qualify as stakeholder engagement sessions. The new guidelines stipulate that a true stakeholder engagement is one where there is active involvement from citizens and stakeholders.
Scheduled interviews on TV or radio, as well as speeches by ministers at events without stakeholder participation, do not meet the criteria for these meetings. The Presidency also stated that familiarisation visits by investors or other parties would not be counted as public engagement either. The government stressed that for these meetings to be effective, they must be structured and allow for real-time interaction between ministers and the public.
“Ministers must be prepared to respond to questions and concerns raised by stakeholders both during and after the meetings,” the CDCU added.
