This action plan document outlines Bauchi State’s first formal commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP), covering the 2023–2025 implementation period. After officially joining the OGP platform in July 2022, Bauchi developed this plan through an inclusive, co-creation process involving government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, community leaders, and media actors. The State Action Plan (SAP I) reflects a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, civic engagement, and social inclusion.
The plan is anchored on four thematic pillars: Access to Information, Citizens’ Engagement, Fiscal Transparency, and Inclusiveness. It includes four major commitments aimed at promoting openness in governance processes, improving public service delivery, and institutionalizing citizen participation.
In the Access to Information pillar, Bauchi State commits to domesticating the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), improving the responsiveness of public institutions to information requests, and setting up information management systems in key ministries. This is expected to improve citizens’ ability to access data, reduce corruption, and promote trust in governance.
The Citizens’ Engagement component introduces a technology-based citizen feedback platform, expands town halls, and facilitates the use of mobile apps like CITAD’s “Office of the Citizen” to gather public inputs on budgeting and service delivery. These platforms aim to strengthen transparency, participatory governance, and responsiveness across the state’s 23 LGAs.
Under the Fiscal Transparency pillar, the plan emphasizes boosting Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), particularly by formalizing the informal sector, expanding the tax net, automating tax processes, and creating anti-tax fraud units. These reforms aim to make the state financially sustainable and reduce reliance on federal allocations.
Finally, the Inclusiveness pillar targets the empowerment of vulnerable populations—especially women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. Bauchi plans to develop social protection guidelines, review its gender policy, and promote equitable access to basic services such as health, education, water, and sanitation.
The SAP is implemented under the oversight of a 20-member State Steering Committee equally representing state and non-state actors. Supporting structures include thematic working groups, an OGP Secretariat, and a results-based monitoring and evaluation framework. Tools such as media campaigns, public dialogue platforms, and innovation-driven technology are built into the strategy to ensure maximum visibility and accountability.
With this action plan, Bauchi State signals a transformative shift in how governance is practiced—moving from promises to measurable, people-centered reforms grounded in openness and trust.
