On Government-Citizens Engagement for Economic Development
By Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman
I feel honoured and delighted as the keynote speaker at the conference of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Abuja Chapter to speak on the theme: “Reassessing Government-Citizens Engagement in Nigeria for Economic Development.”
As the Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), permit me to convey greetings from the President of the Senate and Chairman, National Assembly, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator, Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON), and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D.
The critical importance of effective communication and collaboration between the government and its citizens in pursuing economic development cannot be over stressed in view of the fact that the citizens are critical in achieving any meaningful sustainable development.
It is important to note that the provision of Section 14 subsection sub-section 2b of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered) provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
Therefore, it is important to state that the government exist because it enjoys legitimacy from the citizen’s collective will and mandate. To this end, it is obligatory for the citizens to understand their rights in holding the government to accountability, because the failure of the government is as a result of public inattentiveness of the citizens. In order to achieve an accountable system, citizens must be granted unhindered access to government institutions to demand for accountability.
Permit me to inform you that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies under my leadership has been in the frontline in promoting active citizenship participation in governance.
This is because as an Institute, we are mandated to deepen democratic practice in the country and we are of the firm view that civic engagement and sustainable economic development are two intertwined concepts that hold significant importance for creating thriving societies. Civic engagement is indeed the active participation of citizens in the decision-making processes that shapes the society. Sustainable economic development, on the other hand, aims to promote economic growth while preserving resources and addressing social needs.
By involving citizens in decision-making processes, communities can better address the needs and aspirations of their residents. When citizens have a voice and are actively engaged, it leads to a sense of ownership and empowerment, fostering an environment conducive to economic growth and social cohesion. Moreover, civic engagement promotes inclusivity, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in economic planning and development.
In line with the afore-mentioned, the Nigerian government ought to have engaged its citizens before the implementation of the removal of fuel subsidy in order to better inform the citizens on the need to implement such a policy in order to enjoy the support of Nigerians.
It is indeed a truism that when citizens actively participate in local economic projects, such as supporting small businesses or promoting entrepreneurship, it boosts the local economy. Civic engagement also encourages citizen influence on government policies related to economic sustainability, allowing for more effective and targeted solutions.
Furthermore, involving citizens in urban planning and infrastructure development ensures that these projects align with the community’s needs and aspirations, fostering economic growth while enhancing quality of life. In the pursuit of sustainable economic development, civic engagement plays a vital role in empowering communities and driving positive change. Through active citizen participation, local economies can flourish, policies can be shaped, and urban spaces can be transformed.
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Citizens primarily expect the government to be responsive and accountable, to respect and protect their rights, provide essential services (such as healthcare, education, and social infrastructure), and actively engage them in the democratic process.
The government, on the other hand, expects a productively engaged, informed, and responsible citizenry that actively participates in the democratic process (such as elections), holds the government accountable, and collaborates (by paying taxes, for instance) in shaping the nation’s future.
This partnership between government and citizens is essential for the functioning of a democratic society in the pursuit of common goals, including economic development and social progress. In balancing these expectations, it is expected that to whom much is given, much is expected. Inadequate infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and transport, particularly in remote areas, exacerbates citizens’ sufferings and erodes public trust for effective engagement between government and citizens.
The National Assembly is the central institution of our representative democracy, which makes it the most critical arm of government, in view of the fact that elected representatives are the closest to the people and represent the interests of their constituents for common development.
However, the legislature is the most misperceived arm of government due to their openness in the processes of legislation, representation and oversight. The National Assembly needs to be properly funded to enable it fulfills its constitutionally defined responsibilities, and truly represent the people.
The misperception of the legislature inspired NILDS, under my leadership to establish the NILDS Democracy Radio 104.9 to enable parliamentarians to better engage their constituents and correct the misperception and misrepresentation of the image of the legislature in Nigeria.
While civic engagement holds immense potential for sustainable economic development, several challenges need to be addressed. Potential hurdles include limited accessibility to civic engagement platforms, lack of awareness and participation among marginalized communities, and overcoming apathy or disengagement among citizens. Overcoming these challenges requires investing in accessible civic engagement software and promoting inclusive participation through targeted outreach efforts.
However, the opportunities for leveraging civic engagement for economic development are vast. With advancements in technology, civic engagement platforms like Instant Input have made community engagement more accessible for citizens. Instant Input allows residents to share their ideas, concerns, and suggestions on various local issues, enabling policymakers and community leaders to make informed decisions that drive sustainable economic growth. Such platforms empower citizens to actively contribute to shaping their communities and promote collective ownership of economic development initiatives.
From the afore-mentioned, it is empirically evident that civic engagement is a fundamental pillar in achieving sustainable economic development. By involving citizens in decision-making processes and actively seeking their participation, communities can harness the collective creativity of their citizens.
Therefore, continuing to encourage civic engagement for economic sustainability is of utmost importance. By providing accessible platforms and fostering inclusivity, communities can unlock the potential of their citizens to drive sustainable economic development.
As we move forward, let us recognize the vital role that civic engagement plays in shaping prosperous and resilient societies and strive to create opportunities for citizens to actively participate in building a better system of governance for sustainable development.
Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman is the Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja. He made this remarks as the keynote speaker at Conference of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) FCT Chapter
