The Presidency, introduced new regulations governing the quarterly Stakeholder and Citizens’ Engagement Meetings, underscoring the Federal Government’s dedication to transparency, inclusivity, and fostering citizen participation in governance.
Announced on Wednesday through the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, the new guidelines enforce stricter standards for ministries to ensure these meetings truly serve as authentic platforms for public interaction.
According to the CDCU, these engagement meetings were established as a key deliverable for every ministry following President Bola Tinubu’s directive, urging all ministers to regularly communicate government initiatives, programs, and policies to the public.
“This deliverable aims to bridge the gap between the government and citizens, foster a positive relationship, promote inclusivity, and ensure active citizen participation,” the statement read.
The Presidency emphasized that these meetings are designed to enhance public understanding of government policies, thus preventing potential misinterpretations.
Under the new regulations, each ministry is required to hold at least one stakeholder or citizen engagement session every quarter.
The meetings will be led by the minister, accompanied by the permanent secretary and other senior officials.
The CDCU stressed that these meetings should not merely be informational but should also include direct feedback from stakeholders, which will be taken into account for potential policy adjustments.
To ensure broad participation, the CDCU outlined that the meetings must include civil society organizations, professional groups, the media, and ordinary citizens.
Furthermore, the media—both traditional (print and electronic) and major online platforms, must be invited to cover the engagements, maximizing public awareness.
The Ministry of Information and National Orientation will play a key role in coordinating media participation.
The CDCU also clarified that not all ministerial public appearances qualify as stakeholder engagements.
These include “ministers granting scheduled interviews (TV, radio, or at events) to explain policies without stakeholder’s involvement” and “ministers attending events and speaking about ministry activities without stakeholder’s participation,” the statement explained.
Similarly, familiarization visits by investors will not substitute these meetings.
The interactions must be structured, inclusive, and participatory, allowing for real-time citizen engagement, the unit emphasized.
The feedback process remains a key element of these engagements.
Therefore, “ministers and ministry officials must be prepared to respond to concerns raised by stakeholders both during and after the meetings,” the statement stressed.
To ensure accountability, the Presidency requires ministries to submit evidence of compliance, including copies of invitation letters, attendance lists, ministerial presentations, and detailed reports of the discussions.
Ministries must also document specific feedback received and demonstrate how it has influenced government decision-making.
With these newly established guidelines, the Presidency reaffirms its commitment to citizen-centric governance, ensuring that government policies are not only communicated effectively but are also shaped by public input.
