Tinubu Directs Ministers to Hold Regular Public Briefings for Transparency

President Bola Tinubu has mandated all ministers to conduct regular public briefings to keep Nigerians informed about government activities and policies.

The Presidency has established new criteria for the quarterly Stakeholder and Citizens Engagement Meetings, further emphasizing the Federal Government’s dedication to transparency, inclusivity, and citizen involvement in governance.

A statement from the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU), under the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, indicates that updated guidelines now impose stricter requirements for ministries. These measures are intended to ensure meetings function as authentic platforms for public engagement.

The CDCU reported that engagement meetings were implemented as a deliverable for every ministry, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive. This initiative requires all ministers to regularly communicate government initiatives, beneficial programs, and policies to the public.

“The purpose of this deliverable is to connect the government and citizens, cultivate a positive relationship between them, encourage inclusivity, and ensure active citizen participation,” the statement explained.

The meetings, the statement noted, aim to improve comprehension of government policies and prevent any misinterpretation.

Under the newly established guidelines, each ministry is required to conduct at least one stakeholder or citizen engagement meeting every quarter. The minister must personally lead these sessions alongside the Permanent Secretary and other senior officials.

The CDCU stressed the importance of high-level engagement, where government officials not only provide information to the public but also gather direct feedback from stakeholders. This input would then be considered for making policy adjustments.

To promote wide-ranging involvement, the CDCU states that the meetings are anticipated to include civil society organizations, professional associations, media representatives, and everyday citizens.

It emphasized the importance of inviting mass media—both print and electronic, including major online platforms—to cover these events in order to maximize public awareness.

The Ministry of Information and National Orientation must also play a crucial role in coordinating media involvement.

It also clarified that not every public appearance by a minister qualifies as stakeholder engagement.

Such encounters include instances where ministers give prearranged interviews on TV, radio, or at events to explain policies without involving stakeholders.

“The statement read that ministers were attending events and discussing ministry activities without including stakeholders.”

Likewise, recorded familiarization visits by investors won’t be regarded as a replacement for these meetings.

The unit stated that, instead, the interactions should be organized to be structured, inclusive, and participatory, enabling real-time engagement from citizens.

It stated that the feedback process continues to be a vital part of these sessions.

As a result, “ministers and ministry officials must be ready to address concerns raised by stakeholders both during and after the meetings,” it stated.

The Presidency stated that to guarantee transparency, ministries must provide evidence of compliance. This includes submitting copies of invitation letters sent to stakeholders, an attendance list, a copy of the minister’s presentation, and a detailed report on the discussions held.

Furthermore, ministries are required to document the specific feedback they receive and provide evidence of how it has been incorporated into government decision-making.

The Presidency announced that with these new guidelines, it is strengthening its dedication to citizen-focused governance. This ensures that government policies are communicated effectively and shaped by public input.