Presidency Moves To Bridge Policy-people Gap, Inaugurates Engagement Panel

In a fresh move to strengthen grassroots involvement in national governance, the Presidency has inaugurated a National Community Engagement Framework Drafting Committee. The committee aims to bridge the widening gap between federal policy initiatives and the realities of ordinary Nigerians.

The committee inaugurated at the State House in Abuja on Thursday, has been tasked with delivering a comprehensive engagement framework within six weeks.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Abdullahi Yakasai, said the initiative would institutionalise meaningful dialogue between the government and citizens.

“This framework embodies the spirit of partnership and collective action, ensuring that progress is a shared responsibility,” Yakasai said, noting that the project is a vital step toward inclusive governance.

His counterpart from the North-Central, Mrs Abiodun Essiet, described the drafting process as more than administrative — calling it a “call to serve” and a bold attempt to ensure no Nigerian is left behind in the country’s development journey.

“The framework will serve as a blueprint for grassroots engagement, ensuring every citizen feels seen, valued, and empowered,” Essiet said.

She explained that the committee’s work aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to develop structured, participatory governance tools that promote accountability and rebuild trust in public institutions.

The committee will focus on mapping existing engagement efforts, identifying gaps, and drafting clear guidelines to facilitate sustained dialogue between federal agencies and local communities.

According to the work plan presented by consultant Mrs Kitan Oluwagbuyi, the first two weeks will be used for stock-taking and reviewing past outreach efforts. Drafting and internal review will occupy weeks three and four, while the final phase will focus on revising and submitting the framework to the Federal Government.

The Permanent Secretary of the State House, Mr Temitope Fashedemi, represented by Director of ICT Lukman Kilani, assured the panel of full institutional support.

Stakeholders, including Prof. Bello Shittu, President of the Community Development Practitioners of Nigeria; Prof. Abdulhamid Ozohu-Suleiman, a public policy expert from the University of Abuja; and traditional ruler Sarkin Bwari, Auwal Musa Ijakolo II, also delivered goodwill messages. They all hailed the committee as a long-overdue bridge between the government and the people.