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

Civil society leaders and government officials condemned controversial legislative bills, such as the NGO Regulation Bill, as violations of constitutional freedoms. They emphasized that these measures threaten the essential space required for non-governmental organizations to operate, undermining the core democratic principles of freedom of thought, expression, and association. The Open Government Partnership initiative was highlighted as a critical platform for joint governance, where civil society and government act as equal partners. Participants stressed that for open data and transparency goals to succeed, both entities must collaborate closely to implement the National Action Plan. This partnership aims to improve resource efficiency, enhance integrity, and attract foreign investment through accountable public finance management. Regarding open data, the workshop urged citizens and civil society to rigorously hold the government accountable for transparency commitments. Advocates recommended actively utilizing laws like the Freedom of Information Act to access public information and collaborating with the media to expose institutions that fail to comply. This collective effort is vital for transforming Nigeria’s governance landscape by ensuring that information flows freely and that promises of openness are translated into tangible actions.

Source: quicknews-africa.net
Published on 2025-10-13

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

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