01/06/2026
On the 6th May, 2026 the Open Gov Youth Innovation Hub Kaduna hosted a Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Citizens' Engagement in Open Government Partnership (OGP) and Democratic Governance under the theme: "OGP Youth Engagement Power Plan: An Enabler for Effective Citizens' Participation." The program, held at the , was in partnership with the Youth Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividend and Kaduna Democracy Drivers Network with support from National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Organization for Community Civic Engagement - OCCEN.
The dialogue brought together government representatives, civil society organizations, youth leaders, community stakeholders, media practitioners, and development partners to explore ways of enhancing citizen participation in governance and promoting the principles of openness, transparency, and accountability.
Discussions centered on the critical role of young people in advancing democratic governance and how the Youth Engagement Power Plan (YEPP) can serve as a strategic tool for empowering citizens to actively participate in decision-making processes. The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Youth Development, Kaduna State Barr Gloria Ibrahim stressed on the importance of creating inclusive platforms that amplify youth voices, strengthen civic engagement, and foster collaboration between citizens and government institutions.
The event also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share experiences, identify challenges limiting effective citizen participation, and propose practical solutions for deepening public involvement in governance at all levels.
The dialogue reaffirmed the commitment of stakeholders to promoting open government principles and ensuring that young people are not only represented but are actively engaged in shaping policies and development initiatives that affect their communities.
As Kaduna State continues to champion democratic values and inclusive governance, the OGP Youth Engagement Power Plan remains a vital enabler for building an informed, empowered, and participatory citizenry.
You can see more on the report here covered by AIT Online: https://youtu.be/GIFlOtj-WjU?si=DPTS9R65t5hXMh0I