Director’s Overview of 2025

Over the course of 2025, Accountability Lab Nigeria gained insights that will continue to shape and strengthen our work. We saw clearly that collaboration is key to achieving sustainable reform; our partnerships with civil society, government stakeholders, the media, creatives, and community leaders were pivotal in advancing our work across three themes, including procurement integrity, digital governance, and environmental justice. We deepened our commitment to building a governance system that works for the people through our strategic approach that combined citizen engagement, innovation, advocacy, and institutional reform to ensure that accountability is demanded and practiced in ways that improve the everyday lives of citizens.

Our work across these thematic areas created platforms for citizen participation and advocating for reforms. Through programs implemented such as the Rights and Rhythm concert, Voices in Code, roundtable conversations with media partners and creatives, training of judicial officers, and radio programs, we amplified conversations on digital rights, freedom of expression, and data protection, ensuring youths, women, and rural communities are part of the conversation. Our procurement integrity efforts strengthened transparency and value for money in public spending through the launch of an AI in open contracting tool and community radio programs across Ekiti, Edo, and Plateau States. These community interventions, alongside targeted stakeholder engagements in Ogun and Osun States, deepened citizen oversight and contributed to improved public service delivery. Through advocacy meetings, creative advocacy platforms such as Street Vibes, and strategic Freedom of Information engagements, our environmental justice work amplified community voices and advanced demands for remediation projects and waste management reforms in addressing environmental degradation.

Our experience in 2025 reaffirmed that citizen engagement is a key driver of a system that truly serves the citizens. From the programs and activities implemented, we observed that when citizens are informed and supported, they actively participate in governance processes and demand better outcomes. These engagements transformed complex policy issues into relatable conversations, increasing public awareness and ownership.

As we look ahead, these lessons will guide our strategy, enabling us to deepen impact, strengthen partnerships, and design citizen-centered solutions that promote a governance system that works for the communities we serve.

Vision and Mission

Our vision is a world in which citizens are active, leaders are responsible, and institutions are accountable. A world where resources are used wisely, decisions benefit everyone fairly, and people lead secure lives. Our mission is, therefore, to make governance work for people through supporting active citizens, responsible leaders, and accountable institutions.

Values

• Integrity: We model honesty and openness in both our actions and processes, remaining accountable to all our stakeholders, including project beneficiaries, donors, CSO partners, and government officials, while continuously evaluating and improving our impact.
• Innovation: We promote creativity and forward-thinking across our work by embracing new ideas, taking thoughtful risks to advance our mission, learning openly from failure, and adapting to changing circumstances.
• Humility: We believe that lasting change is best led by local communities, recognizing that trust-building, mindset shifts, and accountability systems must grow from within and often take time to achieve meaningful impact.
• Practicality: We prioritize creating practical tools that are sustainable and scalable over time while using resources efficiently and cost-effectively across our operations and encouraging our project beneficiaries to do the same through our grants and projects.
• Collaboration: We actively listen to and learn from others, seeking constructive collaboration and believing in the power of community to build solidarity and cooperation both locally and across the broader international development space.

We further deepened youth engagement through Voices in Code: Rights, Resistance, and Digital Belonging and the Rights and Rhythm concert convened. Pre-assessments revealed significant digital rights literacy gaps, with most participants unfamiliar with reporting tools like RIPOTI and expressing fears of censorship, surveillance, harassment, and exclusion. Through policy simulations anchored on the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, interactive storytelling sessions, and inclusive dialogues highlighting the experiences of persons with disabilities, young participants gained practical understanding of policymaking and effective advocacy strategies. Participants showed improvement in knowledge, with over 75% reporting through post-assessments about their increased readiness to discuss and defend digital rights in their communities.

As part of our efforts in learning through restrategizing, we convened FailFaire and the Rethinking Civic Space in Nigeria forum, bringing together civil society leaders and donors to reflect, adapt, and strengthen their impact. The conversation promoted honest dialogue on collaboration, mission focus, financial pressures, and the high demands of leadership. Participants developed actionable strategies, including succession planning, knowledge management, principled partnerships, cross-generational mentorship, and rapid-response advocacy. The convening also enhanced collective capacity, promoted locally-owned problem-solving, and reinforced storytelling and civic engagement as tools for accountability. Despite civic space restrictions and funding challenges, these events highlighted civil society’s resilience and commitment to adaptive, values-driven strategies that sustain impact and advance democratic governance in Nigeria.

Procurement Integrity

Procurement processes in Nigeria are often opaque and difficult for the public to access or understand. Citizens barely have any way of knowing how public contracts were awarded, and journalists struggle to uncover discrepancies hidden in hard copy procurement documents. This is as a result of manual, outdated, and opaque processes allowing loopholes, inflated contracts, and weak compliance to thrive, leaving communities disconnected from the very services meant to serve them.

“The truth is, people don’t ask questions when there’s nothing to see. Give them the facts, and you’ll see how quickly they begin to speak up.”
– Richard, Plateau CFA

This is why we introduced AI in the Open Contracting Chatbot in 2025, alongside the “Accountabilitea” radio show, which marked a major shift in how citizens access and use public procurement information. Piloted in Edo, Ekiti, and Plateau States, the chatbot simplified complex contract data, converting it into clear, structured, and searchable information. What was once buried in paperwork became accessible, understandable, and actionable for citizens, journalists, and civil society. The Accountabilitea show amplified this impact. We discussed contracts and guided listeners on how to use the chatbot. Journalists used the platform to strengthen investigative reporting, while Community Frontline Associates monitored local projects more effectively. Stakeholders actively tracked procurement processes. Increased visibility of the show contributed to drawing the attention of the state government to stalled projects, including the restoration of Illawe Road.

“We used to feel left out of the process. Now, with this tool, we can track projects, and it has also given our community the power to ask questions.”
– Femi, Ekiti CFA

We also convened a stakeholder engagement, including government officials, civil society partners, and community members in Oyo and Ogun States, for the first round of conversations under the new Public Finance Management (PFM) Action Lab. Too often, government budgets and procurement plans look good on paper but fail to translate into real impact for citizens. The Lab is one of our strategies that ensures we move beyond abstract reform to a hands-on process that digs into why funds do not always reach the people and services they are meant for. Our first focus is the health sector, where delayed procurements and weak budget execution directly affect access to quality care at Primary Health Centers (PHCs). The Action Lab tackles this gap by creating evidence-driven spaces where civil society and government co-design practical solutions that ensure funds reach the people they are meant to serve. Participants examined real budget lines and audit reports, tracing the utilization of funds and identifying practical solutions. The conversation created open, evidence-driven spaces for dialogue where both civil society and government could learn from each other and begin co-designing solutions. Each Action Lab cycle will now produce learning notes, reform ideas, and citizen-led evidence for continuous advocacy because behind every credible budget are real people—citizens who deserve to see government promises translated into tangible improvements in their communities. We also developed the Procurement Risk Assessment Toolkit in these states, which aims to support civil society organizations (CSOs) in identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks in public procurement. Stakeholders found the toolkit easy to use, relevant, and valuable in guiding CSOs to conduct objective, evidence-based procurement monitoring.

Environmental Justice

Across Nigeria, uncollected waste has become a visible symbol of weak environmental governance, clogging drainage systems, overwhelming markets, and threatening public health. Despite Nigeria generating an estimated 32 million tons of waste annually, only 20 to 30% is collected, and over N8 billion is spent yearly on waste management in the Federal Capital Territory alone. Yet communities such as Jabi and Gwarinpa continue to face growing dumpsites and rising health risks, revealing a clear disconnect between public spending and lived realities. In response, we initiated and strengthened the Environmental Defenders Coalition, mobilizing civil society, community members, and media partners to demand transparent, community-centered environmental accountability systems. We spotlighted community challenges in Jabi and Gwarinpa through documentary storytelling, amplifying the human impact of unmanaged waste and reframing clean environments as a fundamental human right. Through data-driven advocacy, an opinion editorial, sustained policy engagement, and strategic media partnerships, we connected environmental mismanagement to governance gaps. These efforts contributed to advancing sanitation reforms in the FCT, strengthening public health protections, and environmental accountability.

Other Program Highlights

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Social media reach and highlights

Our work is powered by a dedicated team whose commitment, creativity, and innovation drive our impact every day. We are deeply grateful to our staff members whose efforts make our mission possible.

Odeh Friday

Country Director

Grace Okpara

Finance and Administrative Manager

Ehi Grace Idakwo

Programs and Learning Manager

Alfred Agu

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Blessing Ogechi Anolaba

Storytelling Development Officer

Stella Chinedu

Finance Officer

Jeremiah Onuh

Administrative Associate

Akakan Markson

Gender Associate

Faith Onobo

Communications Associate

We welcomed Adeniyi Oluwafemi Soleye as our human resource consultant. A seasoned HR leader with over a decade of experience, Adeniyi has developed and implemented systems, policies, and processes that align with business objectives, building and improving HR structures to deliver tangible results. We also appreciate our volunteers Victoria Attah, Audrey Eyamike, Usonwa Ejinkonye, Christiana John, and Obianuju Ifemenam for their time, dedication, and commitment.

Our board members are not left out. They provide strategic guidance, stewardship, and unwavering support to our work. We are sincerely grateful for their leadership, wisdom, and oversight; Dr. Kale Oyeyemi (Chairman), Odeh Friday (Secretary), Dr. Abah Joe, Ekpo Gloria Uduak, and Ejembi Enene Zigwai. We are also delighted to welcome Mrs. Amarachi Birch, a finance expert, as a new member of our Advisory Board in 2025.

Partners

• UN Women
• United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner
• United States Mission in Nigeria
• Embassy of Czech Republic in Abuja
• International Budget Partnership
• Spaces for Change
• BudgIT Foundation
• ActionAid
• Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation

• Yiaga Africa
• Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)
• International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
• Digicivic Initiative
• Paradigm Initiative
• Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)

• Open Government Partnership (OGP)
• Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI)
• Dataphyte
• Art for Humanity Foundation
• Inclusive Friends Association
• Griot Studios
• YES Nigeria

Micro Interviews from Beneficiaries

Mufida Bashir

Participating in the Integrity Icon Nigeria campaign reshaped how I understand leadership. I learned that integrity is not just a value; it’s action. In my community, I noticed many children in a nearby slum lacked access to basic education and spent their days on the streets because their families could not afford school fees or supplies. Drawing on the project management and community engagement skills I gained as a volunteer, I worked with fellow participants to conduct a needs assessment. Education emerged as the top priority. We partnered with local organisations and community leaders to launch a literacy program, mobilising small grants, volunteer tutors, and learning materials. Within six months, over 1,000 children enrolled, with visible improvements in reading and writing. Parents became more involved, and community leaders began integrating education into development plans. The experience affirmed that integrity-driven leadership can spark lasting, community-wide transformation.

Omotayo Adebayo

Before volunteering with Accountability Lab Nigeria’s Integrity Icon campaign, I believed accountability required confrontation. My team and I often faced resistance when requesting information about public projects, reinforcing the idea that officials were unwilling to engage. The campaign changed my perspective entirely. I learned that accountability can also be built by amplifying what works. Instead of focusing solely on failures, we began highlighting public officials who demonstrated transparency and responsiveness. This constructive approach opened doors that had previously been shut. One official who was initially hesitant to engage became a strong ally after seeing how collaborative dialogue helped identify and reduce wasteful spending in his department. He began sharing information more openly and encouraged others to do the same. That shift proved that celebrating integrity can strengthen trust and cooperation. Today, I approach accountability as a shared responsibility, one that improves systems when citizens and public officials work together.

Uwaila Omorodion

Participating in Accountability Lab Nigeria’s public procurement training in 2024 transformed my understanding of governance. For the first time, I gained clear insight into how procurement processes work, where gaps occur, and how citizens can demand accountability. As a journalist, this knowledge reshaped my reporting lens. Upon returning to Edo State, I joined AL Nigeria’s radio sensitisation campaign, translating complex procurement concepts into relatable conversations for everyday citizens. On air, I shared practical guidance on civic engagement and why sustained advocacy matters. The platform gave me the freedom to critically examine policies, ask tougher questions, and amplify overlooked community voices without editorial dilution. The impact was immediate: listeners became more curious about government processes and more confident in demanding transparency. I witnessed how informed storytelling can drive civic awareness. When citizens understand systems and believe their voices matter, accountability begins to take root as culture, not just conversation.

Usonwa Ejinkonye

Studying political science gave me theoretical knowledge about governance, policy-making, and advocacy, but practical exposure through my work at Accountability Lab Nigeria has shown me the gap between what is written in textbooks and what happens in reality. I have seen how policies that appear sound on paper often face challenges in implementation due to limited accountability, weak citizen engagement, and systemic inefficiencies. Observing these gaps firsthand has deepened my understanding of why advocacy is critical in strengthening governance systems. Through hands-on experience, I have developed stronger research and analytical skills, learning how to interrogate policies, track public processes, and engage stakeholders constructively. More importantly, I have gained clarity about my career path. I now see myself not just as a graduate of political science but as an advocate committed to bridging the gap between citizens and government. Being placed in strategic spaces and conversations has expanded my perspective, helping me see the bigger picture of how informed citizens and evidence-based advocacy can drive meaningful, systemic change.

Voice2Rep

“The sessions pushed me to connect my creativity to real-life governance issues. I now see my art as a tool for advocacy, not just performance.”
—Worship Yakubu, V2R Artist

“Being part of Voice2Rep sharpened my understanding of accountability and representation. It has shaped the way I write, perform, and engage my audience with more responsibility and impact.”
—Gidzeey, V2R Artist

“Just by networking with other Voice2Rep artists, I’ve learned that art can question power, amplify unheard stories, and spark conversations that matter.”
—1 Double, V2R Artist

“Before being a part of Voice2Rep, I created from emotion. Now, I create with purpose. Voice2Rep showed me that storytelling through art can challenge injustice and inspire civic action.”
—Jaykeyz, V2R Artist

“Voice2Rep helped me realise that my art is more than entertainment; it’s influence. Through this engagement, I’ve become intentional about using my music to speak on issues that affect my community.”
—Mercirick, V2R Artist