The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Deborah Odoh has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity across government and ensuring that public policies and programmes deliver measurable and sustainable results for the benefit of all citizens.
This was made known while declaring open the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation and Results-Based Management Capacity Development Workshop – Cohort 2 MDAs Rollout held in Abuja today.
According to her, the workshop comes at a critical time when the Ministry is currently finalizing the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2026–2030) and the successful implementation of this Plan will depend significantly on the strength of planning systems and the robustness of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for translating policy objectives into tangible development outcomes.
Dr Odoh reiterated that Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation were not merely technical functions; but were fundamental instruments of governance. She said they provide the framework for evidence-based decision-making, policy coherence, resource efficiency and institutional capacity to effectively track and evaluate the delivery of government priority programmes.
Dr. Odoh therefore called on Participants to put in their best as this plays a strategic role in transforming policy into measurable results that directly impact national development.
She assured Participants that the Ministry will continue to provide leadership in strengthening the national Monitoring and Evaluation ecosystem in line with the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy. She noted however, that the effectiveness of this effort depends on collective ownership and sustained commitment across all MDAs; as strong systems are built not only on sound frameworks, but also on the competence, dedication and professionalism of those who implement them.
Dr. Odoh appreciated the support of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the Public Finance Facility program noting that their partnership has been instrumental in deepening reforms in Public financial management, promoting transparency and strengthening accountability systems within governments.
In his remarks, the Economic Councellor, British High Commission, Abuja, Mahesh Mishra, affirmed the British High Commission’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s fiscal reform agenda through strategic capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening evidence-based budgeting and public financial management.
He described the workshop as a significant initiative under the Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF) saying it is designed to equip Participants with practical tools for budget formulation, execution and implementation at both federal and sub-national levels.
According to him, the workshop which also emphasizes the partnership between the Governments of Nigeria and the United Kingdom in advancing fiscal reforms and strengthening public financial accountability would provide Participants with foundational skills in interpreting and applying evidence to policy and budgeting decisions.
While speaking, the Team Lead, Nigeria Public Finance Facility (NPFF), Chinedum Nwoko, highlighted that a strong M&E system strengthens policy credibility, improves implementation discipline, supports transparency and accountability, deepens institutional learning and most importantly, helps government make informed decisions under conditions of fiscal constraint and competing national priorities.
Mr. Nwoko further added that the workshop forms part of a broader and carefully structured institutionalisation programme which is in addition to the development and institutionalisation of an M&E Manual for government use.
The training is being organized for ministries, departments and agencies through three cohorts.
Julie Osagie-Jacobs
Director (Press &PR)
