…LASG reaffirms commitment to results-based project delivery
LAGOS, Nigeria – Experts in public policy, project management and community development have called for stronger monitoring and evaluation frameworks to improve the delivery of government projects, urging public institutions to focus on measurable outcomes rather than merely tracking project implementation.
The call was made at the 2026 Monitoring and Evaluation Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget in Alausa, Ikeja, where the State Government reaffirmed its commitment to institutionalising results-based monitoring as a critical driver of accountability, transparency and sustainable development.
In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Ojo, said monitoring and evaluation had become indispensable to achieving the objectives of the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP) 2052 and the THEMES+ Development Agenda.
She described the practice as more than a mechanism for tracking projects, noting that it provides government with the evidence needed to improve policies, strengthen service delivery and ensure that public investments translate into tangible benefits for residents.
According to her, the Stakeholders’ Forum was convened to deepen collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector, professional bodies and community representatives in order to strengthen the State’s monitoring and evaluation system and promote evidence-based decision-making.
Delivering the keynote presentation, former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Shamsuddeen Usman, urged governments at all levels to institutionalise Results-Based Management as a governance framework that measures success by outcomes rather than expenditure.
Usman, represented by Mr Aliyu Aminu Ahmed, the pioneer president of the Nigeria Association of Evaluators, NEA, argued that governments should no longer be judged by the number of projects executed or the amount of money spent, but by the extent to which public investments improve the quality of life of citizens. He identified efficiency, effectiveness, impact and equity as the key benchmarks for assessing public sector performance and ensuring that development programmes deliver lasting value.
Another keynote speaker, the Registrar-General of the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), Henry Mbadiwe, stressed that successful project delivery depends on effective planning, strong project governance and continuous monitoring throughout the project lifecycle.
He noted that many public projects fail not because of inadequate funding but due to weak planning, poor project control and the absence of clearly defined monitoring frameworks.
According to him, every government project should be guided by a clear project charter, effective risk management and regular performance reviews to ensure that intended benefits are realised. He further urged public institutions to move beyond monitoring activities to evaluating outcomes, maintaining that projects only create prosperity when they are successfully completed, effectively utilised and deliver their expected social and economic impact.
Speaking at the forum, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, said the Lagos State Government had already embedded monitoring and evaluation across the entire project cycle, beginning with participatory budget consultations held across the IBILE divisions to identify residents’ development priorities.
He explained that the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation Department works with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to monitor implementation, verify project milestones and assess performance before payments are approved, ensuring accountability and value for public resources.
George added that the framework applies to all government projects, from major infrastructure such as the Opebi-Mende Bridge, Massey Children’s Hospital, rail projects and the Food Logistics Hub to education, healthcare and community-based initiatives.
He also highlighted the deployment of digital tools, including the EKO360 App, to strengthen project monitoring and public participation, noting that emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence would further enhance data collection, reporting and evidence-based decision-making.
Chairman of the Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council, Alhaji Amusat Azeez, underscored the importance of citizen participation in project implementation. He commended the Lagos State Government for involving communities in identifying development priorities, monitoring project execution and taking ownership of completed projects, describing community participation as essential to transparency, accountability and sustainability.
The forum brought together policymakers, development partners, academics, professional bodies, civil society organisations and community leaders to exchange ideas on strengthening monitoring and evaluation as a catalyst for improved governance, better project delivery and shared prosperity in Lagos State.
