This success story document captures the nationwide impact of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) project implemented by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), with support from the MacArthur Foundation. The project aimed to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for OGP at both the national and subnational levels in Nigeria, using a blend of advocacy, technical support, awareness creation, and collaborative action between government institutions and civil society organizations.
The initiative strategically deepened engagement in states that had already adopted the OGP framework, while simultaneously working to bring non-signatory states and Area Councils on board. Centre LSD’s efforts included facilitating the formation of state OGP Steering Committees and Thematic Working Groups, supporting the development of State Action Plans (SAPs), and building administrative structures to ensure the sustainability of OGP ideals beyond donor funding.
The results have been profound. A total of 27 states, 3 FCT Area Councils, and 1 Local Government Council signed on to OGP principles. These include states such as Kaduna, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kogi, Gombe, and Adamawa, among others. Each of these subnational entities co-created State Action Plans in partnership with CSOs and citizens, tackling governance challenges through commitments in fiscal transparency, service delivery, extractive reform, citizen engagement, and more. Many of these states have moved on to second action plans, demonstrating ownership and sustainability.
The project’s ripple effects are seen in strengthened civic participation, improved transparency in public budgeting, and the increased presence of CSOs in formal decision-making spaces. For example, in Gombe State, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission now includes CSO representatives, reflecting a more inclusive governance model. In Taraba and Adamawa, partners like Oxfam and USAID’s State2State are now building on Centre LSD’s foundation to extend the reach and longevity of OGP reforms.
To further amplify local engagement, Centre LSD issued microgrants to grassroots organizations like DEAN Initiative, IRIAD, and Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution. These groups helped localize OGP advocacy and ensure that marginalized groups—including women, youth, and persons with disabilities—are actively involved in shaping policy at all levels.
The project’s legacy is clear: by combining high-level policy engagement with grassroots mobilization, Centre LSD has played a pivotal role in embedding open governance principles into the DNA of Nigerian public administration—making it more transparent, inclusive, and accountable.
