A Kano-based technology hub, Blue Sapphire Hub, on Thursday unveiled a new digital platform aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in local governance.
The Strengthened Leadership Aware Citizen Digital Dashboard allows citizens to track government projects in real time, submit feedback, and hold officials accountable for service delivery.
Speaking at the launch, Blue Sapphire Hub Programme Coordinator, Sani Sulaiman, said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between citizens and government.
“It creates an avenue for transparency, where people can see how public funds are being used, which projects are ongoing, pending, or completed, and even the budgets and expenses attached to them,” he said.
According to him, the platform provides two interfaces: a public portal where citizens can view projects, budgets, and progress reports, and an administrative dashboard for government officials and contractors to upload data, update milestones, and respond to community inputs.
The programme coordinator said the platform is currently being test-run in five local government areas in the state, with plans to expand to the entire state and beyond soon.
“Citizens can rate projects, raise concerns about delays, or suggest improvements, while officials are required to acknowledge and address issues logged on the system,” he noted.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammad Usman, commended the initiative, saying it aligns with the state’s plan to adopt a fully digitalised budget in 2026.
Represented by the Director of Admin and General Service, Bashir Baba, the commissioner praised SLAC’s effort in training local government staff since June 2025.
“This is a great step towards moving from analog to digital governance,” the commissioner said.
He assured that the ministry would continue to support the project by releasing staff for training and providing financial assistance where necessary.
“Blue Sapphire and the Ministry of Local Government are working on the same pipeline in terms of digitalising governance,” he said.
He added that the platform is currently being piloted in five local government areas in the state, with hopes to scale and replicate it across the remaining LGAs and other states facing similar governance challenges.
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