…as OPL&CE unveils 3-yr strategic plans
Lagos State government has unveiled a three-year Strategic Plan and Communication Strategy (2025-2027) documents in a move to deepen citizens participation in governance.
The documents, which were unveiled on Monday in Lagos by the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE), aims to strengthen the bond between government and the people through effective communication of government’s activities to the citizens thereby allowing them to take active participation in governance.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr Afolabi Abiodun, at the occasion held in Ikeja, noted that Lagos being a state with people from diverse backgrounds, there is a need for people to participate actively in government policies that can shape their future.
The documents, he said, will improve public trust and widen opportunities for meaningful engagement between the government and the public.
“The Strategic plan and Communication Strategy align deeply with the THEMES+ Agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration. The plan advances this agenda by fostering transparent communication, enhancing collaboration between the executive and legislature, and ensuring that stakeholders, both formal and informal, are fully engaged in the decision-making process.
Ultimately, it serves as the foundation for meaningful engagement. At the core of this plan is a belief that public participation must become a culture rather than an event. A government that values its people must create continuous avenues for citizens to express themselves, offer opinions, and contribute solutions,” Afolabi said.
He mentioned some of the strategies the Office plans to use to achieve its objectives to include strategic dialogues, structured town hall formats, digital feedback platforms, advisory mechanisms and more targeted civic education initiatives.
The Special Adviser added that the CitizensGate platform created by the Lagos State government where Lagosians can communicate with government on issues is ‘one of the ways the government is building an environment where residents can engage the government without barriers.
Abiodun asked Lagosians to work with the state government, noting that ‘governance is a collective responsibility which demands transparency from government and active participation from the people.’
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr Sholabomi Shasore said traditional rulers, social media influencers, media practitioners, civil society organizations, community development associations and movie directors are part of stakeholders that will drive the implementation of the strategy.
“Every citizen wants the government to communicate with them. The plan reveals all that we need to do. We want the people to know how the government is run in Nigeria, therefore, your expertise is important in amplifying our message. Our mandate is to ensure citizens are well engaged,” Shasore said.
A human and gender rights advocate from Yiaga Africa who was one of the participants, Cynthia Mbamalu, commended the OPL&CE and the Lagos State government in general for the initiative.
“Civic engagement is key to Nigeria’s democracy. You cannot talk of democracy without citizens participation. Democracy survives on active participation of the people. The strategic documents will identify policies that promote the relationship between government and the people,” she said.
