Accountability Lab (AL) Nigeria has made significant progress in strengthening governance and promoting anti-corruption efforts over the past year through a three-pronged approach: ecosystem building, training and collaborative spaces, and value-shifting campaigns. Through ecosystem building, we have promoted collaboration on accountability and open governance by supporting community feedback loops, such as Civic Action Teams, and facilitating knowledge-sharing among organizations and individuals within our networks.

In addition, our focus on training and collaborative spaces has equipped reformers—both within and outside government—with the knowledge and tools needed to drive better governance. Programs such as Integrity Innovation Labs and the Anti-Corruption Innovation Project have built and connected a strong network of responsible leaders across the states where we operate. To further advance accountability, we have implemented value-shifting campaigns that change mindsets and support accountability champions through positive and engaging programs. Programs like Integrity Icon and Voice to Represent have shifted the conversation around accountability from negative narratives to constructive action, inspiring both citizens and government officials to prioritize integrity.

Over the past year, we have gained useful learnings that will shape our work in 2025. We have seen firsthand that collaboration is essential; strong partnerships with civil society, government, and the private sector have been critical in making governance work. Our approach has demonstrated that certain solutions can be expanded to new regions, amplifying their impact. For example, our programs, such as Civic Action Teams and Procurement Integrity, have shown great potential and could be scaled to different states. We have also learned that sustained citizen engagement plays a critical role in ensuring inclusive and transparent governance. When citizens actively participate—whether through monitoring government projects, providing feedback on service delivery, or engaging in policy discussions—they help create a system of checks and balances that holds public officials accountable. This, in turn, enhances transparency by making governance processes more open and accessible.

Furthermore, our use of storytelling and creative advocacy has been instrumental in shifting societal norms and promoting a culture of integrity. As we look ahead to 2025, these lessons will shape our strategy, ensuring that our efforts remain impactful, practical, and sustainable. We will continue to innovate, collaborate, and engage with stakeholders to strengthen governance systems in Nigeria, ensuring they are both responsive and accountable to citizens.

The procurement systems in Edo, Ekiti, and Plateau states have faced challenges related to transparency, accountability, and inefficiency. These issues, including the limited availability of procurement data, hinder the ability of citizens, the media, and civil society to monitor government service delivery, which increases the risk of corruption and mismanagement of public funds. The lack of civic engagement, limited public awareness, and existing regulatory gaps have worsened these problems. Strengthening procurement processes is essential for economic growth, promoting inclusive growth, and ensuring the efficient use of public resources. In response, UNDP Nigeria, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, AL Nigeria, and the procurement agencies in Edo, Ekiti, and Plateau states used technology and new ideas to improve the publication of procurement data. This is due to our understanding that enhanced access to information can identify procurement issues, aid in decision-making, and encourage greater participation in monitoring public services. A number of targeted engagements were held to promote technology-driven procurement solutions and procurement practices that take gender into account. This has made the procurement system more open and effective.

These engagements include a breakfast conversation, an all-stakeholders consultative meeting and a press briefing where we made a presentation on the state of e-procurement and open contracting across various states and engaged key representatives from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and other government agencies in a comprehensive dialogue. As a result of our suggestions for the long-term implementation of open contracting and e-procurement, procurement officers will receive targeted technical training, enhancing their skills and familiarity with new systems. Community town hall meetings are essential in equipping citizens with the knowledge to access, understand, and use procurement data effectively. The adoption of the e-procurement system by all MDAs in the state will ensure comprehensive government participation, build trust, and promote effective procurement practices. 139 participants (60% male, 40% female) contributed their insights and solutions to these conversations to improve procurement processes.

Lawrence Riches
Inspiration Care and Development Center Ekiti

“The engagement highlighted grey areas and ways to improve them. It also provided an opportunity to ask questions that clarified some misunderstood data from the open contracting portal while we find ways for better collaboration.” 

Mr. Henry Idogun
Director of EDO PPA

“The partnership between UNDP, and Accountability Lab is transforming public procurement in Edo State, building power for citizens to actively engage and ensuring transparency in governance. This is meaningful progress through informed participation.” 

Aishatu Sabo
Community Frontline Advocate

‘’Open contracting supports procurement agencies to lead with transparency and integrity, building a culture of trust and accountability. When citizens are actively engaged, public resources are protected and directed toward the common good.”

Through these efforts, we are institutionalizing open contracting practices and reinforcing e-procurement systems to ensure better access to procurement data, reduce corruption risks, and drive sustainable economic development. The deployment of open contracting dashboards in the three states is already transforming public procurement processes. In Ekiti State, following a media publication on the project, the Governor requested a procurement clinic for procurement officers, further strengthening the commitment to transparency and efficiency in procurement. During the conversation, issues such as direct labor where high-ranking officials, including permanent secretaries and general managers, are awarded contracts were addressed, as the state law mandates open competitive bidding. Despite challenges such as capacity constraints and limited public awareness and engagement, these efforts have supported the development of local communities and broader efforts to improve public service delivery in these states.

 The community radio shows proved to be an effective approach in amplifying the voices of community members and marginalized groups. It reached an audience of 7.5 million listeners across Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Delta states; the show engaged callers who attested to the usefulness and impact.

Participant

‘’I will translate the knowledge and skills gained from the sensitization to my community by engaging them in town hall meetings, providing regular updates, and ensuring they are informed about the PIA, fund allocations, and progress made, ultimately aiding in community development and effective conflict resolution.’’ 

Listener

‘’I was discouraged about seeking justice in my community that was affected by pollution from the activities of the oil companies but listening to today’s episode of this program, I’ll take action on behalf of my people’’

Section 240 of the PIA also says that oil companies have to remit 3% of their actual OpEx to the HCDTF to support the improvement of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and the overall health of these oil-producing communities’ environments. However, important questions from people in the Niger Delta about how clear the 3% OpEx remittances are left unanswered because the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) Host Comply portal is still unresponsive in terms of getting important data. In response, we sent on different occasions 3 Freedom of Information (FOI) request letters to the NUPRC seeking the disclosure of information to address the community’s concerns. However, NUPRC declined, citing the information as “too financial and commercial” in nature. Due to NUPRC’s refusal to disclose details on the 3% OPEX remitted by oil companies to the HCDTF under PIA, we pursued legal action in collaboration with FOI Counsel. The Federal High Court in Benin City, after hearing our application, granted us permission to seek judicial review against NUPRC’s non-disclosure.

Despite these challenges, progress has been made- with AL Nigeria’s advocacy efforts, 11 out of the 16 Settlors in 9 focal communities have inaugurated their trusts, albeit beyond the timeline specified in the PIA Act of 2021. However, funding remains limited, with only 5 Settlors initiating contributions to support projects outlined in their Community Development Plans (CDPs). In five HCDT within communities—Upenekang, Uquo, Uyenge, and Uzere—projects aligned with community priorities are underway, which is a positive step toward addressing the needs of the communities. The CJTs’ work to protect the environment has also led to some changes. For example, Mrs. Ann Linda, a member of the CJTs, was appointed to Agip Oil’s Advisory Committee in Utagba-Ogbe in Delta State within the HCDTF structure, the oil industry, and the quick cleanup of oil spills in Uquo and Upenekang communities in Akwa Ibom State by working directly with oil companies. ExxonMobil also initiated a waste management project and awarded contracts to local businesses in the Ibeno local government area, directly benefiting the communities.

According to a report, Nigeria’s security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), garnered negative attention in 2024 due to a troubling trend of unauthorised arrests, which provoked local outrage and raised questions about the validity of charges under the Cybercrime Act. The Nigerian government’s efforts to suppress dissent have intensified, leading to increased restrictions on journalists, activists, and everyday citizens who speak out against pressing national issues such as economic instability, corruption, and governance failures. The shrinking civic space has made it increasingly difficult for individuals to freely express their opinions without fear of harassment, censorship, or legal repercussions. As authorities tighten their grip on digital spaces and public discourse, it has become more critical than ever to create platforms that support individuals advocating for our democratic society, that is currently under threat.

In response to these growing concerns, the Voice2Rep campaign, which bridges the gap between art and advocacy, expanded its efforts to promote digital rights, democratic norms, and citizen participation in government. We supported young artists with the tools and knowledge they needed to advocate for free expression, data privacy, and constitutional rights in an increasingly restrictive political environment. We did this by conducting 5 hangouts—a platform that educated and supported 51 young music artists on the need for public advocacy, digital rights, and freedom of expression. The Data and Digital Rights Coalition (DDRC), consisting of CSOs advocating for digital rights and data protection, provided an opportunity for these artists to learn about how they can use their talents to lead democracy and development efforts.

Onyekachi Ajah Eyon
A poet

“If we want change in Nigeria, we must start thinking collectively rather than individually. Only then will Nigeria truly change. Politicians use bigotry to divide, conquer, and silence our voices. It takes collaboration to change this with music.”

Immaculate Ogaga Ovwurhughen

“I’ve learned how to use my creativity to advocate for the best interest of society.” This experience has helped me find my voice and advocate for more than just the latest musical trends.” – 

With guidance from the DDRC, artists are now better able to advance democratic discourse in the digital space, raise awareness about cybersecurity and Nigeria’s National Data Protection Act, and inform their communities about reporting procedures for digital rights violations.

One of our campaign’s standout features is the monthly music challenge, which encourages artists to collaborate and create songs that advance democratic digital norms. Some creative content from the monthly challenge explored themes such as the right to protest, good governance is not rocket science, we are united in diversity, people’s power, expression without fear, public advocacy and digital rights, and telling the whole story.

At the beginning of the year 2024 in Ekiti State, a key stakeholders’ forum was held to boost accountability in government projects and improve quality service for citizens. One significant project discussed was the construction of a fence around Ifelodun Nursery and Primary School.