Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posted on 28/10/2025
How can collaboration with local staff or partners improve communication relevance and reach?
Collaboration with local staff and partners is critical to ensuring that evaluations are contextually relevant, effectively communicated, and have far-reaching impact. Local partners possess invaluable insights into the socio-cultural dynamics, language nuances, and political realities of their communities. Their participation helps evaluators design culturally sensitive tools, select appropriate communication channels, and interpret findings within local contexts—thereby enhancing the accuracy and credibility of the evaluation process.
At Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), we prioritize engaging community-based organizations, local health workers, women’s groups, and youth networks in every stage of evaluation—from planning and data collection to dissemination and feedback. This participatory approach not only improves trust and data quality but also ensures that evaluation findings resonate with stakeholders at the grassroots level. By leveraging existing local communication platforms such as town hall meetings, faith-based gatherings, radio programs, and social media groups, we can broaden the reach and uptake of evaluation results.
Moreover, collaboration with local actors promotes capacity building, ownership, and sustainability. When local partners co-create evaluation tools and strategies, they are better positioned to use the findings for decision-making and advocacy. This strengthens the link between evidence and policy, ensuring that evaluation results drive meaningful change.
In summary, partnerships with local staff and organizations transform evaluation from a top-down exercise into a participatory, inclusive, and impactful process that communicates effectively, respects local realities, and advances sustainable development outcomes.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje
CEO and Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSOs Global Network and Think-tank for Health, Climate Actions and Development (Winner of the SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award).
RE: Beyond the final report: What does it take to communicate evaluation well?
Nigeria
Uzodinma Adirieje
National President
Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posted on 28/10/2025
How can collaboration with local staff or partners improve communication relevance and reach?
Collaboration with local staff and partners is critical to ensuring that evaluations are contextually relevant, effectively communicated, and have far-reaching impact. Local partners possess invaluable insights into the socio-cultural dynamics, language nuances, and political realities of their communities. Their participation helps evaluators design culturally sensitive tools, select appropriate communication channels, and interpret findings within local contexts—thereby enhancing the accuracy and credibility of the evaluation process.
At Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), we prioritize engaging community-based organizations, local health workers, women’s groups, and youth networks in every stage of evaluation—from planning and data collection to dissemination and feedback. This participatory approach not only improves trust and data quality but also ensures that evaluation findings resonate with stakeholders at the grassroots level. By leveraging existing local communication platforms such as town hall meetings, faith-based gatherings, radio programs, and social media groups, we can broaden the reach and uptake of evaluation results.
Moreover, collaboration with local actors promotes capacity building, ownership, and sustainability. When local partners co-create evaluation tools and strategies, they are better positioned to use the findings for decision-making and advocacy. This strengthens the link between evidence and policy, ensuring that evaluation results drive meaningful change.
In summary, partnerships with local staff and organizations transform evaluation from a top-down exercise into a participatory, inclusive, and impactful process that communicates effectively, respects local realities, and advances sustainable development outcomes.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje
CEO and Permanent Representative to the United Nations,
Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSOs Global Network and Think-tank for Health, Climate Actions and Development (Winner of the SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award).
<https://afrihealthcsos.blogspot.com/2024/03/about-afrihealth-optonet-as…;
National Coordinator,
Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria (CSP-SDGs Nigeria)