A civil society actor and public affairs commentator, Mohammed Bello, has called on the Kano State government to fully embrace the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in order to unlock development opportunities and improve governance.
Bello said Kano, known as the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria, has strong potential but is yet to take full advantage of the OGP framework it signed onto years ago.
He noted that while some states have used the initiative to attract international funding and build public trust, Kano has remained largely inactive.
According to him, the OGP is not just a symbolic platform but a practical tool that rewards transparency and accountability.
He explained that states that commit to open budgeting and transparent contracting can access grants and incentives from international organisations, including the World Bank.
He warned that Kano’s weak implementation over the past five to six years has cost the state significant development funds. Bello pointed out that the state’s OGP Steering Committee has lacked the technical capacity and influence needed to drive meaningful reforms, leaving key plans unimplemented.
Drawing a comparison, Bello highlighted Kaduna State as an example of how the initiative can work effectively. He said Kaduna built strong collaboration between government and civil society, including digital systems that allow citizens to track public spending, especially in sectors like primary healthcare.
In contrast, he described Kano’s approach as largely top-down, with limited engagement between authorities and grassroots stakeholders. He stressed that for the OGP to succeed, there must be genuine cooperation between the government and civil society groups.
Bello advised that the next Steering Committee should be made up of competent individuals with expertise in digital governance, transparency, and public finance. He also called for stronger collaboration with civil society organisations and a more proactive approach to implementing commitments.
He urged the state leadership to treat the OGP as an opportunity to build a lasting legacy of transparency and accountability. According to him, Kano already has the framework needed for progress but must now focus on action.
“The era of ‘sit and watch’ must end,” Bello said, adding that effective implementation of OGP reforms could improve the economy and benefit millions of residents.
