This action plan document outlines Ondo State’s first-ever Open Government Partnership (OGP) roadmap, spanning from 2023 to 2024. Co-created through a participatory process involving government ministries, civil society organizations, private sector actors, media, academia, and professional bodies, the plan reflects the state’s ambition to institutionalize transparency, accountability, citizen participation, and service excellence. The development of this State Action Plan (SAP) was anchored in the state’s REDEEMED Agenda and supported by key reforms from the SFTAS (State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability) program.
The action plan is structured around four core thematic areas—Fiscal Transparency, Service Delivery, Access to Information, and Citizens’ Engagement—with five commitments. Under the Fiscal Transparency pillar, the state commits to opening up its entire budget cycle to citizen participation and ensuring that at least 50% of all public procurements follow open, competitive bidding through an e-procurement platform. These efforts aim to boost public confidence, encourage vendor participation, and ensure better value-for-money in public spending.
The Service Delivery pillar focuses on improving performance in health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure through innovation and sustainable technology. Activities include mapping sector gaps, training public service professionals, revising outdated laws, and expanding capital investments in priority sectors. These are intended to raise service standards and improve outcomes for citizens.
In the Access to Information pillar, the state commits to domesticating the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and improving responsiveness to information requests. Plans include creating an online FOI portal, engaging mass media, and raising public awareness to strengthen demand for accountability. Citizens will gain more reliable access to government data and decision-making processes.
The final thematic area—Citizens’ Engagement—focuses on developing a Permanent Dialogue Mechanism that allows continuous citizen feedback on public policies and projects. The plan emphasizes using town halls, toll-free lines, social media platforms, and mass media to create inclusive, multi-channel communication with citizens. Special attention is given to women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The action plan’s implementation is overseen by a 16-member State Steering Committee with equal representation from state and non-state actors, supported by Technical Working Groups and a dedicated OGP Secretariat within the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget. The SAP also includes strong cross-cutting strategies for ICT integration, communication, and monitoring and evaluation. Notably, the state plans to cascade OGP practices to all 18 Local Government Areas to ensure grassroots ownership and sustainability.
Through this plan, Ondo State affirms its commitment to making government more open, efficient, and responsive to its citizens.
