Kaduna State Validates Open Contracting Data Standard
By:Femi Mustapha
Kaduna State has taken a significant step towards enhancing transparency in public infrastructure projects by validating the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and the Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standard disclosure platform.
This validation occurred during a one-day workshop held in Kaduna today
Organized by the CoST Infrastructure Transparency Initiative in collaboration with the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) and the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), the workshop brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and the media to assess the performance and readiness of the portal for full deployment.
In his opening remarks, the Director General of KADPPA, Engr. Sanusi Yero emphasized the portal’s importance in promoting accountability and transparency.
“Having accurate and timely information is essential. It serves as both our record and the foundation for strategic planning within our respective organizations. We encourage full engagement and constructive feedback to help ensure this platform becomes a model for the rest of the country,” he stated.
He also mentioned that the State Government supports the initiative at the highest levels, including plans to construct a dedicated office for CoST, underscoring their commitment to establishing transparency mechanisms.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for the Planning and Budget Commission, Bashir Ladan, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation highlighted Kaduna’s impressive progress.
“The portal we are building is truly world-class. In just two days, over 1,000 projects have already been uploaded, which is a remarkable achievement that reflects our commitment to openness and effective governance.”
He urged experts and stakeholders to continue supporting the platform to ensure it meets both national and international standards.
Tara Jeremiah, the State CoST Manager, provided insight into the workshop’s objectives, explaining that the session aimed to validate the functionality of the portal, improve its user interface and experience, and align stakeholder feedback for broader impact.
“We are not just designing a portal; we are creating a global learning platform. With the innovations being implemented, Kaduna is poised to become a center of excellence for CoST implementation globally,” he noted.
Participants also discussed data quality standards, technical improvements, and strategies to ensure the platform becomes a sustainable tool for public oversight.
As Kaduna continues to lead in open governance reforms, the portal is expected to set a precedent for transparency in infrastructure delivery across Nigeria and beyond.
