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…M&E heads push for professional cadre
Federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will be required to carry out at least one evaluation of their programmes or projects every year and submit the reports to the National Monitoring and Evaluation Department, under resolutions adopted by stakeholders in Abuja.
The resolution was contained in a communique issued at the end of the third annual meeting of Heads of Monitoring and Evaluation (HOME) of Federal MDAs, held from October 21 to 22.
Themed “Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for Improved Public Sector Performance”, the meeting brought together Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Heads of M&E and other stakeholders to examine institutional challenges facing M&E practice in the federal public service.
Participants stressed the need to strengthen the institutional positioning of M&E in the public service and to improve the availability and use of evidence-based data to enhance accountability in implementing government policies, programmes and projects.
The communique said planning will continue to coexist with M&E within the PRS structure of MDAs, in line with the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy, but that the arrangement will be strengthened to improve coordination.
It also asked the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the National Council on Establishment to consider creating a professional cadre for M&E in the federal public service.
Stakeholders recommended strengthening existing institutions to discharge their M&E and accountability roles, rather than creating a separate body modelled on a Supreme Audit Institution.
M&E heads were also urged to work with the Nigerian Association of Evaluators to advocate postgraduate M&E programmes in Nigerian universities, to build a skilled workforce.
Preparations will also begin for the review of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy for 2027-2032, taking account of implementation experience, emerging needs and institutional challenges.
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh, urged participants to support President Bola Tinubu’s development priorities by ensuring performance information is credible, timely and used in management decisions. She said the Federal Government had laid a solid institutional foundation for M&E in MDAs.
The Director of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Alhaja Olasumbo Ayinde-Yakub, said planning, data generation, implementation and evidence of performance must align. She assured stakeholders that the ministry would ensure the frameworks translate into effective practice and better service delivery.
The meeting was organised by the department in collaboration with Clonehouse Foundation for Africa Development. Over 80 participants attended, including representatives of MDAs, Eyemark Consultants and the evaluators’ association
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