NOGI: Elevating public trust through accountability

By Ali Abare

The Nasarawa Open Governance Initiative (NOGI) was launched in 2021 by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State as part of his administration’s efforts to promote open government practices.

This initiative allows citizens to track state expenditures through a digital dashboard, providing visibility into how public funds are being used. For example, citizens can see details of spending, such as the ₦1.3 billion allocated for the completion of the dualization of the second phase of Shendam Road and the 500 million naira for the supply of electricity equipment and installation of CCTV in Lafia and its environments.

This transparency has significantly reduced procurement-related petitions by 80% and earned Nasarawa State first place in fiscal transparency in North-Central Nigeria.

The NOGI has also revolutionized trust in public institutions by operating like an open book, ensuring that citizens are constantly informed about resources coming into the state and how they are utilized. This includes engaging with critical stakeholders and members of the state executive council on significant financial matters, such as the N9.75 billion refund from the Federal Government for taking over ownership of the Lafia Airport.

By involving citizens in these discussions, the initiative ensures that their inputs are considered in decision-making processes, thereby enhancing accountability and reducing corruption.

Another success of the NOGI is its role in institutional reforms, such as the creation of the Nasarawa Bureau of Public Procurement, which enforces competitive bidding and anti-corruption measures.

This has helped curb financial malpractice and block leakages in the civil service, aligning public administration with corporate best practices. Additionally, the initiative has contributed to a quadrupling of internally generated revenue since 2019, demonstrating how transparency and accountability can lead to improved fiscal outcomes.

The NOGI has also fostered inclusive governance by implementing policies aimed at empowering marginalized groups, such as social programs for widows and orphans, a 5% public-sector quota for persons with disabilities, and the enactment of the Child Protection Law (2019) to combat exploitative traditions like street hawking.

Furthermore, the initiative has promoted gender equity through the launch of the Gender Transformative Human Capital Development Policy and the unprecedented elevation of women to pivotal roles, including Nigeria’s first female State Chief Judge, Justice Aisha Bashir Aliyu, and the first female Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sa’adatu Liman.

In essence, the Nasarawa Open Governance Initiative has significantly enhanced transparency and accountability in governance by allowing citizens to track expenditures, reducing procurement-related petitions, improving fiscal transparency, and fostering inclusive and participatory decision-making.

These efforts have not only rebuilt trust in public institutions but also contributed to tangible developmental outcomes, such as increased revenue, better public services, and greater social inclusion.

Abare is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Abdullahi Sule.