Cloneshouse has commenced a strategic partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) to support the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and strengthen internal Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems across key departments.
This engagement was formalized during an in-person meeting held on May 14, 2025, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, and represents a significant step forward in institutionalizing M&E practices across Nigeria’s public finance ecosystem.
Background and Justification
A recent internal assessment by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning identified that M&E structures within FMF are still at an early stage of development. Recognizing the growing demand for data-driven decision-making and accountability, the Ministry is taking proactive steps to build the internal capacity needed to ensure results-based governance.
Cloneshouse was identified as a strategic partner due to its track record of supporting government institutions in developing robust M&E systems across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Key Areas of Collaboration
1. Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs):
Cloneshouse will provide technical support to design SOPs tailored to the Ministry’s departmental operations and aligned with the FMF’s strategic goals.
2. Creation of a Unified M&E Policy:
A central objective of this partnership is the creation of a comprehensive M&E policy that integrates and guides activities across FMF’s proposed four key departments:
- Home Finance Department
- Technical Services Department
- International Economic Relations Department
- Economic Research and Project Management (ERPM) Department
3. Training and Capacity Building:
The collaboration will feature a phased training model, beginning with a small-scale workshop at the Ministry. This will be followed by a comprehensive needs assessment across departments, leading to the development of SOPs. A broader, 3-day offsite workshop will follow, providing a platform to validate and align the SOPs across the Ministry.
4. Anticipated Continuous Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Support
Beyond the immediate workshop and SOP development, Cloneshouse anticipates a long-term engagement to support the Ministry’s institutionalization of M&E practices. This will include mentorship for department focal persons, technical advisory on the integration of Impact Technology solutions for evidence-based decision-making, and ongoing support to embed a culture of learning and accountability. These interventions are designed to position the Ministry as a model for results-driven governance and enhanced public sector performance.
Confirmed Dates and Attendance
In a follow-up call on May 20, 2025, Barr. (Mrs.) Enadeghe Clementina, Deputy Director (Policy) at FMF’s ERPM Department, confirmed that the inaugural training workshop will take place on May 28th and 29th, 2025. The event will bring together approximately 30–35 participants from all four departments, emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to cross-functional collaboration.
Looking Ahead
This budding partnership represents a vital step toward embedding a culture of results and accountability within Nigeria’s public financial management institutions. As the initiative unfolds, Cloneshouse LLC remains committed to providing innovative, context-sensitive support to help FMF achieve its long-term development and governance objectives.
