NSIP: Nigeria, Save the Children International partner on effective implementation

The Nigerian Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Save the Children International on the effective monitoring and evaluation processes of the National Social Investment Programme, (NSIP).

Signing the agreement, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq said the role of monitoring and evaluation in programme implementation cannot be overemphasized.

She said the choice of partnership with Save the Children International came following vigorous engagement with several other Non-Governmental Organizations.

She said without a robust monitoring and evaluation platform in place, the activities of the NSIP will easily be jeopardized.

“The need to closely Monitor and Evaluate (M&E) these investments is an important component of the NSIP and its role in program implementation cannot be underrated. This is the Primary reason why the Ministry deliberately launched a strategy on M&E at many levels. At the local level, the Ministry engaged the services of 7,500 Independent Monitors (IMs) spread across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. These 7,500 Independent Monitors are currently on the field monitoring the implementation of the NSIP. Every month, over 250,000 unique programme reports are submitted by the Independent Monitors.

“Through this partnership, Save the Children International will engage the services of eighteen (18) other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to provide third party monitoring of NSIPs. These CSOs will provide independent reports on NSIPs in the states they deliver their support.” 

The Minister further said that the Civil Society Organisations will provide additional capacity building to the Independent Monitors as well as carry out spot checks in locations of the NSIP Implementation.

She charged CSOs involved in the Monitoring and Evaluation of the NSIP to take the work with utmost sense of responsibility for the overall socio-economic growth of Nigeria.

The Director Advocacy, Communications and Media of Save the Children International, Mr Amanuel Mamo who represented the Country Director, Mr. Faton Krasniqi said the partnership will open a new way of accelerating social accountability.

“It is believed that this will encourage transparency and accountability behavior from service providers, as well as be a mechanism through which beneficiaries and their communities can gain confidence in their ability to effect positive change. An effective Social Accountability mechanism will help in improving service levels to the citizens, thereby ensuring that government gets a better return on investment”. 

Save the Children International will finance hand-picked Independent Monitors and finance their training through the Civil Society Organizations to enhance delivery as well as embark on validation visits to ensure quality assurance of CSOs and Independent Monitors and joint Monitoring and Evaluation visits with staff of the Ministry periodically.