APC-Governed States Pledge Stronger Policy Coordination, Digital Reforms at Asaba Strategy Meeting

Secretaries to the Governments (SGSs) of All Progressives Congress (APC)-governed states have resolved to deepen intergovernmental collaboration, strengthen administrative reforms, and promote digital governance systems to improve policy coordination and public service delivery across the country.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Quarterly Strategy Meeting of Secretaries to the Governments of APC-Governed States, held from Thursday, October 30 to Friday, October 31, 2025, at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State.

The two-day strategy session, hosted by the Delta State Government and facilitated by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) Secretariat, centered on the theme, “Strengthening Sub-National Governance Synergy for Effective Policy Coordination in APC-Governed States.”

It brought together Secretaries to the Governments, senior policy advisers, technocrats, and governance experts from across APC-controlled states to deliberate on ways to harmonize policies, enhance state-federal alignment, and accelerate development outcomes.

In a jointly signed communiqué, the Secretaries to the Governments reaffirmed their crucial role as “drivers of policy coordination, harmonization, and implementation” at the sub-national level.

They emphasized the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of SGS offices to serve as coordination hubs for aligning state and federal government programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The forum commended President Tinubu and APC Governors for their “visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to good governance, reforms, and national transformation.”

Participants underscored the urgency of adopting digital governance systems and comprehensive administrative reforms to modernize the public service and improve operational efficiency.

They agreed to share best practices, standardize administrative procedures, and deploy technology-driven solutions that foster transparency, accountability, and data-informed decision-making across APC states.

The communiqué noted that embracing digital governance would strengthen citizen engagement, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and make public institutions more responsive to development challenges.

A key highlight of the Asaba meeting was the adoption of a unified Performance Management Framework for measuring and tracking the effectiveness of government programmes and policies at the sub-national level.

The framework, to be developed in partnership with the PGF Secretariat, aims to align state-level performance indicators with national priorities, ensuring measurable and results-based progress across APC-governed states.

The Secretaries further pledged to sustain peer learning platforms, evidence-based policy reviews, and joint capacity-building programmes to foster synergy and innovation in governance.

The forum reaffirmed its commitment to implementing reforms that reflect the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, with a focus on inclusive governance, sustainable growth, and professional excellence in public administration.

“We remain committed to deepening collaboration, promoting intergovernmental synergy, and driving administrative efficiency to deliver on our collective mandate to the people,” the communiqué stated.

Delegates expressed appreciation to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State for his hospitality and support in hosting the high-level policy retreat. They also commended the PGF Secretariat, led by Director-General Mr. Folorunsho Aluko, for its strategic coordination and dedication to strengthening governance collaboration among APC states.

The forum recognized the presence of senior government officials who attended the opening session, describing it as a demonstration of collective commitment to advancing governance excellence.

At the close of deliberations, members unanimously adopted Nasarawa State as host of the next PGF Quarterly Strategy Meeting, scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

The communiqué was jointly signed by Secretaries to the Governments and senior representatives from APC-controlled states, including: Dr. Kingsley Emu (Delta State), Mrs. Folashade Arike Ayoade, Ph.D. (Kogi State), Dr. Shuaibu Magaji Labaran, SAN (Nasarawa State), Prof. Habibat Omolara Adubiaro (Ekiti State), Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi (Ogun State), Mrs. Serumun Aber, Esq. (Benue State), Prof. Grace Umezuirike (Ebonyi State), Abdullahi Garba Faskari (Katsina State), Mr. Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq. (Edo State), and others.