Presidency Rolls Out New Guidelines for Quarterly Stakeholder Engagement Sessions

In a bid to enhance transparency, inclusivity, and citizen participation in governance, the Tinubu Presidency has introduced new conditions for quarterly stakeholder and citizens engagement meetings.

The guidelines, issued through the Central Delivery Coordination Unit, mandate stricter requirements for ministries to ensure these meetings serve as genuine platforms for public engagement.

According to the CDCU, the engagement meetings were introduced to “bridge the gap between the government and citizens, foster a good relationship between both parties, promote inclusivity, and ensure active citizen participation.”

Each ministry must now hold at least one stakeholder or citizen engagement meeting every quarter, with the minister personally leading the session alongside top officials.

The CDCU noted that the engagement must be a high-level interaction where government officials not only inform the public but also receive direct feedback from stakeholders.

The feedback will be taken into consideration for policy adjustments.

To ensure broad participation, the meetings must involve civil society organizations, professional groups, the media, and ordinary citizens.

The Ministry of Information and National Orientation will play a key role in coordinating media participation, while the mass media must be invited to cover these engagements to maximize public awareness, a statement said.

The Presidency clarified that not all ministerial public appearances qualify as stakeholder engagements, and that recorded familiarization visits by investors will not be considered a substitute for these meetings.

To ensure transparency, ministries must submit evidence of compliance, including copies of invitation letters, attendance lists, and detailed reports of discussions held.

Ministries must also document specific feedback received and provide proof of how it has been implemented in government decision-making.

With these new guidelines, the Presidency is reinforcing its commitment to citizen-centric governance, ensuring that government policies are not only communicated effectively but are also shaped by public input.

“Ministers and ministry officials must be prepared to respond to concerns raised by stakeholders both during and after the meetings.”