Over the last couple of years we’ve watched as the Nigerian budget transparency organisation, BudgIT, has grown from hack idea to fuly fledged start up. Oluseun and his team have very kindly compiled a case study and profile of the organisation. We hope that it will prove to be a useful resource for others. Here’s what they have to say about the case study:
This document analyses the efforts of BudgIT, Nigeria’s creative startup, in making the Nigerian budget simple and accessible for every citizens. Nigeria, an oil-driven economy had over thirteen of uninterrupted military rule which held the detailed budget as a state secret. Current efforts in the democratic regimes as enabled by the law have made both the proposed and enacted budget available to citizens. However, the budget is officially released in non-readable formats and most citizens have no clear understanding of the government finances. BudgIT uses an array of technology tools to simplify budget for citizens and also works with civil society and media in terms of data analysis and representation. BudgIT believes that amplified voices of citizens based on better access to budgetary data can translate to institutional reform. It also works in improving capacity of congressional budget offices to improve budget performance. BudgIT methodology is to use refined data mining skill sets to creatively represent data and empower citizens to use such available information in demanding for improved service delivery.