In a bid to deepen inclusive governance and accelerate national development through collaboration, the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, Hon. Zaphaniah Bitrus Jisalo, MFR, convened its 2nd Quarter Stakeholders and Citizens Engagement Forum at the Honourable Minister’s Conference Room in Abuja. Themed “Strengthening Partnerships for National Development through Special Duties and Intergovernmental Collaboration,” the event attracted stakeholders from across governmental tiers, civil society, and citizens nationwide.
In his keynote address, Hon. Jisalo described the forum as a vital platform to engage meaningfully with stakeholders and ensure participatory governance. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s pivotal role in “linking policy, people, and projects,” highlighting its significant strides in intergovernmental coordination and project implementation. The Honourable Minister shared the Ministry’s recent achievements, including the verification of 89 zonal intervention projects in the first quarter and oversight of 22 ongoing projects in Q2 2025, underscoring the Ministry’s firm commitment to transparency and impact-driven governance.
He further noted milestones such as the rollout of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) to digitize internal processes, the Ministry’s active involvement in the Nigeria Local Government Development Summit, and international collaborations like the Nigeria-China Capacity Building Initiative. According to Hon. Jisalo, these initiatives reflect the Ministry’s alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, centered on unity, service delivery, and citizen empowerment. Concluding his remarks, the Minister urged all stakeholders to maintain their dedication as active partners in building a responsive and inclusive Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, applauded the consistency of the engagement forum as a mechanism for transparency and citizen inclusivity. He emphasized the Ministry’s unwavering focus on accountability in constituency projects, ongoing efforts toward digital innovation and modernization, and the promotion of local government autonomy. Dr. Ihemelandu also shed light on the Ministry’s active monitoring of projects and programs, the transparent coordination of the National Honours Award process and strategic international collaborations that continue to position Nigeria on the global development stage.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to justice and national reconciliation, stating that only through mutual respect and cooperation can Nigeria’s developmental aspirations be achieved. He expressed the Ministry’s commitment to harnessing institutional synergies, ensuring that no stakeholder or region is left behind in the journey toward inclusive development.
During the interactive session, stakeholders expressed appreciation and shared constructive recommendations. Chief Obinna Nwaka, Director of the Committee of Youth Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), commended the Ministry’s progress in digitalizing internal processes, calling it a step in the right direction for transparency and operational efficiency. He particularly highlighted the need for urgent renovation and revitalization of the Nigerian Merit House, suggesting that some of the national merit award ceremonies be hosted at the venue to restore its significance. Chief Nwaka further advocated for enhanced collaboration in project monitoring, urging that stakeholders be carried along in the implementation of the Ministry’s mandate.
Another stakeholder, Mr. Akala Samuel, representing the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), proposed a structured partnership with the Ministry to improve grassroots citizen engagement. He stressed the strategic importance of involving the 774 local government chairpersons to foster community-level awareness and drive broader acceptability of national initiatives. Mr. Akala emphasized that strengthening intergovernmental collaboration at the local level would significantly boost development outcomes and citizen trust.
Citizens across the country actively participated in the forum through virtual contributions via Zoom, sharing feedback, suggestions, and questions that added value to the engagement process. The virtual participation reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive dialogue and technology-driven governance.
The forum concluded with renewed pledges from all parties to work hand-in-hand in building a stronger, more unified Nigeria driven by accountability, innovation and inclusive partnerships.
Signed:
Mandal Francis
For Head of Press and Public Relations Unit
June 30, 2025.
