Reflections from the NAE 2025 National Symposium: A Turning Point for Evidence-Based Decision Making in Nigeria

Towards the end of November, Abuja felt different, in a good way. The national conversation on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) didn’t just happen; it was loud, clear, and intentional. The room was filled with energy, familiar faces, new voices, and a shared sense of purpose. You could literally feel the momentum building. And right there in the middle of it all was Cloneshouse. Being one of the proud sponsors of the 2025 NAE National Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Symposium wasn’t just about visibility for us; it was a reminder of why we do this work and a chance to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening and institutionalizing M&E practices across Nigeria.

The event gathered practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and development partners all united in a shared vision: strengthening accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainable governance across Nigeria. As our Director of Strategic Partnerships and Programmes said, the symposium is a critical stage for promoting professional growth, especially among young evaluators and institutions that need capacity enhancement. (Vanguard News)

Key Takeaways from the Symposium

Sponsorship and visibility matter.
Cloneshouse’s sponsorship of the NAE symposium went beyond branding; it signalled a public commitment to the growth and strengthening of M&E systems in Nigeria. This move helps set the agenda for more rigorous, transparent evaluations in government agencies, development organisations, and civil society. (Vanguard News)

Youth and capacity building are central to progress.
At the heart of the discussions was the need to build a professional workforce to drive evaluative culture across institutions. Cloneshouse’s internship (CIP) and training programmes, designed to lower entry barriers and build practical skills, were affirmed as vital tools in achieving this. (Vanguard News)

A call for systemic reforms.
One of the strongest messages from the Symposium came from the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu SAN, who stressed that institutionalizing M&E in Nigeria’s governance architecture goes far beyond developing tools or frameworks. He emphasized that real change requires deep systemic reforms. To us, this means a clear roadmap from how evaluators are recruited to how job roles are classified, to the creation of clear career pathways and meaningful incentives in government institutions, ministries, and agencies to ensure data creates a lasting impact in our systems. His call was echoed by representatives from the Public Service Commission, reinforcing a growing national recognition: sustainable public sector transformation depends on building and retaining a stable, qualified evaluation workforce. (ThisDayLive)

Collaboration and partnerships pave the path forward.
From government agencies to NGOs, research institutes to youth groups, broad, inclusive collaboration emerged as non-negotiable. Cloneshouse is ready to deepen such partnerships, offering capacity support, training, and technical expertise to back institutional change across sectors. (Vanguard News)

Storytelling brought the Symposium to life.

One of the most powerful moments came from our graphic recording, created by our Illustrator, Mr. Kayode Ogunwole (BabaKay). Participants, including the Honorable Minister and his aides, were visibly intrigued by how the entire conversation was captured in real-time through illustrations. The detail, clarity, and creativity sparked genuine excitement. Many said that by simply looking at the graphic, they could feel the flow of ideas, understand the key messages, and relive the energy in the room. It proved that storytelling is not just a tool for communication; it is a bridge that helps people connect with evidence, remember insights, and see the bigger picture of what the Symposium truly meant.

A cross-section of graphic recording

What This Means for Cloneshouse and the M&E Community

For Cloneshouse, being a sponsor of the NAE symposium is more than a badge; it’s a reaffirmation of our role as a leading MEL firm in Nigeria and Africa. It validates our mission: bridging evidence and action, building capacities, and supporting institutions to deliver accountable development outcomes. For the broader M&E community, the momentum generated by the symposium signals that the time for evidence-driven governance is now. With strengthened collaboration, training pathways, and growing institutional support, we stand at the cusp of a new era, one where evaluation isn’t just an afterthought but a core component of planning, implementation, and accountability.

To read the full press coverage:

• NAE, firm partner to create national accountability frameworks (Nigeria Association of Evaluators)
• Firm restates support for Nigeria’s M&E growth (Vanguard) (Vanguard News)

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Happiness Titus Zirra, a Communications Officer at Cloneshouse with over three years of experience in development communication and a PMD Pro certification, focuses on bridging the gap between results and understanding, ensuring findings don’t just sit in reports but actively shape decisions and practice.

Princess Odey, a lawyer with a passion for youth empowerment, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, leads community engagement and storytelling efforts at Cloneshouse Foundation. She spotlights the voices and contributions of emerging evaluators across Africa, bringing together a versatile skill set and deep commitment to impact and growth.