Centre LSD, OPG condemn ‘obnoxious bill’ by national assembly to scuttle transparency

Civil society organizations and government officials in Nigeria have jointly condemned legislative proposals that threaten freedom of expression and association, particularly those restricting non-governmental organizations. This strong stance highlights the critical role of an open legal and regulatory environment in sustaining democratic participation. For open data advocates, this underscores that true transparency cannot exist if the civil society actors who demand and utilize data are legally restricted or intimidated by state overreach. The workshop emphasized that implementing the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan requires a genuine partnership rather than mere compliance. There is a shared recognition that government and civil society must move beyond adversarial relationships to collaborate on accountability and resource management. This shift is vital for open data because it ensures that data initiatives are not just technical exercises but are embedded in a broader culture of mutual trust and shared governance responsibilities. Participants pledged to hold the government accountable for its commitments while leveraging all available legal avenues to access public information. By urging collaboration with media and citizens to expose non-compliant institutions, the initiative promotes a proactive approach to information disclosure. This relevance to open data lies in its reinforcement of the principle that access to information is a fundamental right, essential for empowering citizens to monitor government actions and drive meaningful, data-informed public accountability.

Source: quicknews-africa.net
Published on 2025-09-29

Centre LSD, OPG condemn ‘obnoxious bill’ by national assembly to scuttle transparency

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