Open State Government Ranking

In furtherance of her quest for increased citizens participation in governance in a manner that promotes transparency and accountability in the management of government finances and processes, the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) is expanding her transparency and anti-corruption program beyond federal government by working closely with relevant stakeholders at the sub-national level to institute a robust “Open State Government Ranking” (OSGR). The aim is to build on the achievement of the annual “Freedom of Information Ranking” which has encouraged Ministries, Departments, and Agencies at the Federal level to improve on their compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. The Open State Government Ranking aims to encourage states to increase citizen's participation in governance through the publication of government-held data and information. The ranking will be informed and guided by the level of State Government's commitment towards the promotion of transparency and accountability by making public information and data available on its website. The ranking will broadly consider the following fundamental criteria:

The Open State Government Ranking aims to encourage states to increase citizens participation in governance through publication of government held data and information. The ranking will be informed and guided by the level of State Governments commitment towards the promotion of transparency and accountability by making public information and data available on its website.

The ranking will broadly consider the following fundamental criteria:

1. Open Government Partnership (OGP): Nigeria’s first National Action Plan makes provision for states to sign up to the partnership. The National Steering Committee subsequently approved a Subnational Guidance Note for states interested in signing up to the OGP. The ranking will highlight states that have followed the steps listed in the guidance note or joined the global Subnational OGP, with the State’s Action Plan (SAP) specifically addressing the OGP thematic areas like Fiscal Transparency, Anti- Corruption, Access to Information and Citizens Engagement.
2. Open Budget: Open Budget is critical for citizen's participation in governance as it outlines government’s revenue projection and spending plan for citizens. The availability of a detailed breakdown of State Budget on the State website will form the second criteria to be measured in this ranking. States that have their 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 budget breakdown published online stands a better chance in the ranking.
3. Open Contracting: Government business is handled through procurement either for the provision of overhead service or infrastructure. Open contracting process reduces corruption, ensures value for money and quality service delivery; it provides an opportunity for citizens to participate in governance through monitoring of the contracting process and implementation of contracts awarded by the government. Availability of State Contractual Information on the States website will form part of the criteria that will be measured in this ranking.
4. Enactment of Access to Information legislation.

RANKING METHODOLOGY (CRITERIA)

• Signatory to Open Government Partnership OGP is a new anti-corruption program crafted to secure government's commitments in promoting transparency, empower citizens and to fight against corruption. At the 2016 anti-corruption summit held in London, President Muhammadu Buhari reaffirmed his administration's commitment in the fight against corruption by signing up to OGP at the national level. Such commitment is equally desirable at the subnational level and States are encouraged to key into the program. Accordingly, a State will score twenty (20) points upon signing to the program..
  
  Signed Up to the OGP = 20 Points

  Not Signed to the OGP = 0 Points
• Availability of State Budget Information or Contract Information on the website: A state with her budget online would be assessed on a score of 20 points. Note that the ranking process would accord more preference and points to states who have uploaded at least the preceding 3 years budget online.
  
  State with Budget Information on her Website = 20 Points

  No Available Budget Information = 0 Points
• Availability of State Contractual Information on the States website: A state with this information on her website will score 20 points as well. Contractual information under this criterion is defined as the contractual details of each project carried out by the state each year and the information shall include the location of the project, contract amount and the project contractor. A state with only pictures of projects online will not score any points. It is equally important to note that the number of years of the contractual information a state has on its website will rank it above a state with a lesser number of years.
  
  Available Contractual Information = 20 Points

  No available Contractual Information = 0 Points
• Access to Information Law: A State that enacts Access to Information Law or domesticates Freedom of Information Act 2011 will score forty points (40). It can never be overemphasized that the provision of such law will promote, encourage and affords persons the legal right to access all copies of official documents held by Government bodies such as Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve accountability, public participation, and transparency within government
  
  Available Access to Information Law = 40 Points

  No Access to Information Law = 0 Points

In conclusion, states will be assessed and ranked according to their performance evidencing their commitment towards a transparent and accountable system of government.