BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Civil society organizations and citizen representatives in Kaduna State have intensified advocacy for greater transparency, accountability, and effective governance in the management of public resources.
This was the thrust of discussions during a two-day review of the State’s 2025 second-quarter budget performance in the health, education, and commerce sectors, supported by Christian Aid Nigeria.
In his speech, the Coordinator of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ&GP), Simeon Olatunde, said the exercise was aimed at deepening citizens’ understanding of the budgeting process and promoting advocacy that ensures government spending translates into tangible development outcomes.
He noted that previous review sessions helped participants appreciate the structure and functions of the State budget, including key policy tools such as the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the State Development Plan.
“This engagement is about identifying gaps in budget implementation and amplifying the voices of the people we serve. Civic oversight must go beyond numbers and reflect real-life impact”.
Also speaking, Sadiq Mustapha, who represented the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and serves as Coordinator of the TJ&GP in Kano, commended participants for their commitment to promoting fiscal responsibility and good governance.
He explained that the initiative seeks to establish a baseline for budget tracking and to develop evidence-based advocacy tools to strengthen public finance management, inclusive taxation, and responsible debt oversight.
“Your commitment exemplifies democratic participation and has direct implications for the lives of Kaduna residents”.
He reaffirmed CISLAC’s support for continued partnerships among civil society, government, and development partners.
The review session drew policymakers, civic actors, media practitioners, and researchers who resolved to work collectively to ensure that state resources deliver meaningful results for citizens.
