M&E STAKEHOLDERS ADVOCATE FOR INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING OF M&E IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE
Stakeholders at a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) meeting have stressed the need to strengthen the institutional positioning of M&E within the Public Service, in addition to improving the availability and use of evidence -based data to enhance accountability for the implementation of government policies, programmes and projects.
This was one of the resolutions
at the third annual meeting of Heads of Monitoring and Evaluation (HOME) of Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) held from 21st ~22nd October, 2026 in Abuja.
The meeting which had as its theme, "Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for Improved Public Sector Performance", was to provide a platform for Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Heads of M&E and other Stakeholders to deliberate on institutional challenges affecting the
effective practice of M&E in the Federal Public Service and identify practical measures for strengthening M&E systems, improving accountability in addition to promoting the use of evidence in government decision making.
The Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Dr. Deborah Odoh while delivering her opening remarks, urged all Participants to support the realization of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's development priorities by ensuring
performance information remains credible, timely and actively utilized in management decisions.
Odoh called for transparency and accountability highlighting that the Federal Government has laid a solid institutional groundwork for M&E structures within MDAs. She noted that M&E Stakeholders have a central role to play in ensuring that performance information informs planning, decision making and provides the technical leadership required to generate reliable evidence,
in addition to the identification of implementation challenges to enable them present findings objectively.
The Director National Monitoring and Evaluation Department Alhaja Olasumbo Ayinde~Yakub, in her welcome remarks emphasized the critical role Heads of Monitoring and Evaluation (HOME) play in bringing together the planning and technical dimension of M&E noting that Directors of PRS and Heads of M&E must understand and agree that planning, data generation, implementation and
evidence of performance must align.
She therefore assured Stakeholders that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that these institutional frameworks translates into effective operational practices, ultimately enhancing government transparency, accountability and service delivery to Nigerians.
In the communique issued at the end of the meeting, Stakeholders resolved that:
Planning shall continue to coexist with Monitoring and
Evaluation within the Planning, Research and Statistics structure of MDAs, in line with the provisions of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy. This arrangement shall be strengthened to promote effective coordination between planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting functions. However, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and National Council on Establishment should consider the creation and institutionalisation of
a professional cadre for Monitoring and Evaluation within the Federal Public Service;
That Strengthening the capacity, coordination and effectiveness of existing institutions to discharge their respective M&E and accountability responsibilities is recommended rather than establishing a separate institution modelled on a Supreme Audit Institution;
That All M&E Heads are enjoined to do a follow-up advocacy, in collaboration with the Nigerian Association
of Evaluators (NAE), to promote the establishment of postgraduate programmes in Monitoring and Evaluation in Nigerian universities. This is intended to strengthen professional capacity, develop a skilled M&E workforce and support the application of sound evaluation methodologies in development practice; That all Federal Government MDAs shall be required to conduct at least one evaluation of their programmes or projects annually and submit the resulting report to the National
Monitoring and Evaluation Department. The reports shall generate evidence to support learning, policy and programme improvement, accountability and adaptation of interventions to achieve better results;
That preparations shall commence for the review of the existing National Monitoring and Evaluation Policy for the next five-year period, 2027–2032. The review shall consider implementation experience, emerging M&E needs, institutional challenges and opportunities to strengthen
the policy framework for effective M&E practice across government amongst others.
The meeting featured presentations and panel discussions on the institutional arrangements, professional capacity, policy direction and operational requirements for strengthening M&E across Federal MDAs .
The meeting was organized by the National M&E department of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), in collaboration with Clonehouse Foundation for
Africa Development.
Over 80 Participants attended the meeting which included representatives of Federal MDAs, Eyemark Consultants, and the National Association of Evaluators (NAE).
Osagie Jacobs J.I. (Mrs.)
Director Information & PR
23 October, 2026.
