Nigeria has begun the review and retooling of its national monitoring and evaluation policy with a focus on aligning it with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The Federal Executive Council approved the 2022-2025 National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy in August 2022 under the administration of former President Mohammadu Bubari. The policy provides a foundation for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices across all levels of government in Nigeria. It aims to utilise M&E as a tool to measure results, link evaluation evidence to policy, planning, and budgeting processes, and promote public accountability and learning for improved performance.
Permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Emeka Vitalis Obi said it became important to review and critically examine the policy to ensure its alignment with the President’s Renewed Hope agenda, and bring up best modalities to ensure buy-in and compliance for seamless operationalisation of the policy across MDAs.
“It is due for review to align with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Government will now own it,” the permanent secretary said yesterday at a “Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Review of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy in Alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda” at Abuja Continental Hotel in Abuja.
The aim is to ensure that the high impact deliverables in the President’s agenda are captured in the national budget.
Dr Obi believes that impactful programmes and projects can still be achieved through a robust M&E system which the policy stands for. “The policy is not just a document but a tool for National Development.
It is a framework for ensuring that every Naira spent delivers maximum value and translates into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians,” He stated.
The director, NM&E in the budget ministry, Olasumbo Ayinde-Yakub said a robust monitoring and evaluation policy is needed to have an effective civil service and effective execution of projects.
She said engagement of the stakeholders in and out of government was to gather their inputs for effective and efficient implementation of the policy for maximum result.
Other government functionaries, including secretary to the government of the federation, George Akume said the policy is not just a document but a tool for national development.
The government sees the policy under review as a framework for ensuring that every Naira spent delivers maximum value and translates into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
“To achieve meaningful progress in service delivery, we must remain focused on effectively implementing this policy, ensuring that the principles outlined in the document translate into action and results. I am confident that with our partners’ support, our public servants’ dedication, and our citizens’ active involvement, we can collaboratively achieve the ambitious goals set out in this policy,” Obi stated.
