Abuja, Nigeria – A 3-day high-level engagement and learning workshop focusing on Participatory Planning and Citizen Feedback Systems was held at the Lake Greenfield Hotel, Abuja. The event, organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), brought together key stakeholders from four states — Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, and Plateau — to promote inclusive governance and participatory policy implementation.

The workshop aimed to facilitate peer learning among state representatives, foster the exchange of practical experiences, and support the replication of successful participatory planning policies across the participating states. Particular focus was given to identifying implementation challenges and refining existing policies, especially drawing from the established framework in Adamawa State, which is being positioned as a model for the others.

Key presentations at the workshop included:

The Role of Citizen Participation in Democratic Inclusive Governance and Post-Conflict Recovery

Understanding Citizens’ Engagement and Participatory Planning (CEPP): Principles, Benefits, and Policy Imperatives

Why Participation Matters in State and Local Government Planning

The event attracted a diverse and influential group of participants, including members of the Borno State House of Assembly, state commissioners, the Chairman of the Adamawa State Planning Commission, and Special Advisers to governors from various states.

Through this engagement, GIZ and participating states aim to strengthen inclusive governance by institutionalizing citizen engagement in planning processes, particularly in regions recovering from conflict and seeking sustainable development pathways.