The Kogi State Government has commenced a two-day capacity-building workshop for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to strengthen accountability and improve performance management in the public sector.
The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, is aimed at equipping participants with the knowledge and technical skills required to monitor government programmes, assess institutional performance and measure development outcomes.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Ashiru Idris, described the initiative as a major step towards building a results-driven public service anchored on accountability, efficient resource utilisation and measurable development impact.
Idris, who was represented by the Special Adviser II on Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Elijah Evinemi, said the effectiveness of government policies and projects should be determined by their impact on citizens rather than the volume of funds allocated or expended.
He explained that a functional Monitoring and Evaluation system would enable government to track project implementation, assess progress against set targets, identify shortcomings and generate reliable information for informed decision-making.
The Commissioner stressed the need for the state to move away from a system focused mainly on activities and expenditure to one that prioritises results, value for money and sustainable development.
On the proposed Performance Management Plans, he said the framework would translate government institutions’ strategic objectives into measurable targets, specific responsibilities and time-bound commitments for evaluating performance.
He added that the plans would improve coordination between government priorities, institutional objectives, annual budgets and programme implementation.
Idris urged Permanent Secretaries, Directors and Heads of MDAs to provide adequate support to their M&E Officers, particularly in data collection, documentation, performance reporting and timely submission of monitoring reports.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration among MDAs and establishing an effective Monitoring and Evaluation framework to improve planning, budget implementation and accountability.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Philip Ochu, described the workshop as a strategic intervention to enhance the technical capacity of M&E Officers and strengthen performance management across government institutions.
He noted that Monitoring and Evaluation provides essential information for tracking progress, identifying implementation challenges and determining whether government programmes are delivering their expected benefits.
Ochu called on MDAs to embrace regular performance reviews and ensure that identified gaps are addressed through appropriate corrective measures.
Similarly, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Bello Joseph, said the training was designed to improve participants’ competencies in data collection, analysis, validation and performance reporting.
He explained that the exercise would equip officers with practical tools for developing effective Performance Management Plans and promote data-driven planning and decision-making across MDAs.
In her goodwill message, the Statistician-General of Kogi State, Mrs. Irewole Ayo-Alani, emphasised the importance of credible data in achieving effective Monitoring and Evaluation.
She called for stronger collaboration among government institutions to improve data collection, availability and utilisation, noting that reliable information was necessary for assessing previous interventions, identifying gaps and making informed decisions on future development programmes.
Ayo-Alani urged participants to demonstrate commitment throughout the training and ensure that the knowledge gained translates into improved institutional performance and service delivery.
Also speaking, the Chairman of KONGONET, Mallam Hamza Aliyu, who represented the civil society community, commended the Ministry for the initiative, describing effective Monitoring and Evaluation as critical to translating government development plans into tangible benefits for citizens.
He observed that although Kogi State has a development plan capable of supporting engagements with development partners at national and international levels, the major challenge remains translating its objectives into measurable services and meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
Aliyu identified inadequate data and weak data management as major obstacles to effective decision-making and accountability in the state.
He urged participants to ensure that the workshop produces a more competent workforce capable of effectively handling Monitoring and Evaluation responsibilities.
The technical sessions, facilitated by the Technical Assistant to the Director-General of the Governance Delivery Unit, Mr. Busari Kayode Oyelola, focused on practical approaches to Monitoring and Evaluation, performance management and factors contributing to government project failures.
Participants were introduced to the project cycle, results chain, logical framework, SMART objectives and indicators, baselines, targets and the preparation of Monitoring and Evaluation Plans.
The sessions also examined challenges responsible for project failures at the planning, execution and utilisation stages, including poor data management, inadequate stakeholder involvement, political interference, procurement difficulties, weak monitoring structures and poor sustainability practices.
Participants were encouraged to involve M&E Officers from the project planning stage, ensure that government interventions address community needs and strengthen accountability mechanisms to guarantee the effective utilisation of public resources.
The workshop is expected to strengthen the capacity of M&E Officers to improve performance reporting, identify implementation gaps and develop a comprehensive Performance Management Plan that will enhance institutional effectiveness and service delivery across Kogi State.
