Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posted on 07/12/2025
Localizing evidence is fundamental for ensuring that impact evaluations truly inform development outcomes and empower civil society. To achieve this, evaluations must begin with local priority-setting, where communities, traditional institutions, women’s groups, youth networks, and vulnerable populations jointly define what success means and which outcomes matter most. This grounds evaluations in lived realities rather than externally imposed frameworks.
Consequently. evaluations should be designed around local capacities, blending scientific rigor with context-appropriate methods—such as participatory action research, community scorecards, sentinel monitoring, and rapid feedback mechanisms. Simplified data tools, mobile technologies, and culturally appropriate communication channels help reduce barriers to participation.
Strengthening civil society’s technical capacity is crucial. Training CSOs in MEL principles, data literacy, and adaptive learning equips them to generate, interpret, and use evidence effectively. Partnerships with universities and research institutes further enhance credibility.
Eventually, the evaluation findings must be translated into actionable, locally relevant insights, using storytelling, visual dashboards, and feedback forums that resonate with community stakeholders. When evidence reflects local voices, respects cultural contexts, and supports practical problem-solving, it becomes a powerful driver of inclusive, accountable, and sustainable development.
RE: Global Impact Evaluation Forum 2025: Forging evidence partnerships for effective action
Nigeria
Uzodinma Adirieje
National President
Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posted on 07/12/2025
Localizing evidence is fundamental for ensuring that impact evaluations truly inform development outcomes and empower civil society. To achieve this, evaluations must begin with local priority-setting, where communities, traditional institutions, women’s groups, youth networks, and vulnerable populations jointly define what success means and which outcomes matter most. This grounds evaluations in lived realities rather than externally imposed frameworks.
Consequently. evaluations should be designed around local capacities, blending scientific rigor with context-appropriate methods—such as participatory action research, community scorecards, sentinel monitoring, and rapid feedback mechanisms. Simplified data tools, mobile technologies, and culturally appropriate communication channels help reduce barriers to participation.
Strengthening civil society’s technical capacity is crucial. Training CSOs in MEL principles, data literacy, and adaptive learning equips them to generate, interpret, and use evidence effectively. Partnerships with universities and research institutes further enhance credibility.
Eventually, the evaluation findings must be translated into actionable, locally relevant insights, using storytelling, visual dashboards, and feedback forums that resonate with community stakeholders. When evidence reflects local voices, respects cultural contexts, and supports practical problem-solving, it becomes a powerful driver of inclusive, accountable, and sustainable development.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, DDP, CMC, CMTF, FAHOA, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FICSA