My name is Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, independent monitoring and evaluation consultant. I am a Fellow and the National President of the Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE). With his over 15 years of experience in implementing large-scale and complex monitoring and evaluations (M&E), projects/programs reviews, and surveys to collect individual, household, community, and facility-level data; I am/have been involved in the monitoring and evaluation of the research projects, programs and policies with a particular interest in representation from potential trial participants, those at high risk of severe diseases/infections (HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, COVID-19), survivors, community members and healthcare professionals in Africa and the global south. I am a Fellow and the National President of the Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE), an Associate Consultant on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) to the British Council, and Lead/Managing Consultant at Health Systems and Projects Consultants Ltd. I am a professional evaluator and manager and have served as a consultant to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), UNICEF Nigeria, and Nigeria’s Country Coordination Mechanism [CCM] of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM). I was an evaluation/oversight consultant to the GAVI/National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on routine immunization, as well as consultant to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)/World Bank, European Union Support to the Federal Government (SUFEGOR). Dr. Adirieje has been the lead facilitator/curriculum supervisor in the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) training/certificate course provided by the Health Systems and Projects consultants Ltd; just as he has provided M&E capacity building/training to staffers of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (MFBNP), staff of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA) and hundreds of M&E practitioners. He has also provided these services in almost all the states in Nigeria.
I was the consultant to the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and UNICEF, for the development of the Monitoring and Evaluation Policy for Nigeria (2020). I previously served as to the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and Unicef, for the Joint Annual Review for the Evaluation of Nigeria’s National Strategic Health Sector Development Plan in Akwa Ibom State in 2012. In 2012-14, I served as Technical Consultant to Nigeria’s Country Coordination Mechanism on evaluation/oversight visitations to Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) project sites in Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, and Rivers States. I was the GAVI consultant that provided monthly routine immunization (RI) monitoring and evaluation (M&E), data reviews, supportive supervision, capacity building, and reports in 250 (two hundred and fifty) health centers in Imo State during 2012-2014. I was also the consultant of the World Bank and NACA that developed Imo State Multi-sectoral HIV & AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Plan in 2012; and served as the sole consultant for the ‘Development of GFATM Comprehensive Manual of Procedures’ for Nigeria, 2012. In 2014, I undertook data quality self-assessment (DQS) of RI in Njaba and Owerri West LGAs of Imo State on behalf of the National Primary Health Care Development Agencies (NPHCDA).
I was a Trainer/Resource Person and Supervisor for the training of 125 persons from the 36 States and FCT on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), and supervised the M&E of the Home-Based Care component of the Global Fund Round 9 in the 36 States and FCT under the Civil Society for HIV/AIDS in Nigeria [CiSHAN] during 2010-2011.
I possess a strong capacity and experience in planning and organizing surveys, fieldwork/logistics in Nigeria; and have a good network of experienced enumerators, supervisors, and data entry clerks and the ability to mobilize and retain them all over Nigeria. I have proven experience with data quality assurance mechanisms (fieldwork management, data entry programming, etc.) on Global Fund grants/projects; and have presided over the procurement of necessary equipment, including laptops under the Global Fund grant/projects. I am familiar and experienced with both field and central-based data entry methods as may be desired. I am very fluent in written and spoken English and Igbo languages, with a fair understanding speaking of Hausa and Yoruba also. I am very much at home with the health sector in Nigeria have worked with three ministers of health and several commissioners for health in Nigeria in the last 10 (ten) years. I have more than 15 (fifteen) years of experience leading/managing large-scale and complex surveys to collect individual, household, and/or provider/firm-level data. I serve as a consultant to the Federal Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) among other notable institutions in the country with demonstrated capacity and experience in leading/managing survey fieldwork and logistics.
I am a Measure Evaluation/USAID-trained monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practitioner and have also received training in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Health Economist from the World Bank, with involvements in M&E as an implementer, supervisor, and trainer since 2010. My areas of focus are SRHR including HIV and AIDS, Primary Health Care (PHC), Vaccines/Immunizations, Energy/Environment, Nutrition/Food Security, and Good Governance/Human Rights. I also hold a doctoral degree in Optometry from the College of Medicines and Health Sciences of Imo (now Abia) State University in 1988. I am currently a freelance consultant on health systems strengthening with M&E evidence-generation, capacity building and training, as my core competencies.
I have received the following additional M&E/evidence-generation related trainings from the USAID/Measure Evaluation/MSH: Optimizing your M&E team's performance: Improving internal communication and dealing with conflict; Overcoming the challenge of building and leading effective M&E teams for the public sector, NGO, and civil society organizations; The Virtual Leadership Development Programme (a Diploma course); Country Ownership & Organizational Capacity Building; and Creating an Enabling Environment for M&E Community of Practice [CoP]. I have also received training in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Data Management; the use and application of QuickBooks software; and Peer Participatory Rapid Health Assessment for Action (PPRHAA).
Nigeria
Uzodinma Adirieje
National President
Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posté le 07/12/2025
Relier les données probantes à l’action est essentiel pour garantir que les interventions de la société civile produisent des résultats mesurables et restent adaptées aux besoins des communautés. Pour renforcer le lien entre l’évaluation d’impact et la prise de décision en temps réel, les Nations Unies et leurs partenaires doivent donner la priorité à l’institutionnalisation de l’utilisation rapide des données au moyen de systèmes intégrés de suivi, d’évaluation et d’apprentissage. L’intégration de mécanismes de rétroaction rapide, tels que des tableaux de bord adaptatifs, des rapports mobiles et des fiches d’évaluation communautaires, permet aux acteurs de terrain et aux décideurs de suivre les progrès, d’identifier les lacunes et d’ajuster les stratégies rapidement.
La co-création des données probantes avec les organisations de la société civile et les populations concernées garantit que les évaluations reflètent les réalités locales. Lorsque les communautés participent directement à la définition des indicateurs, à la production des données et à l’interprétation des résultats, les données probantes deviennent plus pertinentes, plus crédibles et plus faciles à utiliser.
Il est impératif que les Nations Unies investissent dans le renforcement des capacités des organisations de la société civile, afin de leur permettre de mener des évaluations rigoureuses mais agiles, d’utiliser des outils numériques et de communiquer clairement les résultats. Cela inclut des formations sur les méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives, la visualisation des données et la planification fondée sur des scénarios.
Enfin, la promotion de plateformes d’apprentissage collaboratif, telles que des centres de données probantes ONU-OSC et des échanges de connaissances Sud-Sud, contribue à transformer les résultats des évaluations en actions partagées. Lorsque les données probantes sont accessibles et démocratisées, la prise de décision devient plus rapide, plus inclusive et plus responsable, ce qui améliore l’impact du développement.
Dr Uzodinma Adirieje, DDP, CMC, CMTF, FAHOA, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FICSA
Nigeria
Uzodinma Adirieje
National President
Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posté le 07/12/2025
la localisation des données probantes est essentielle pour garantir que les évaluations d’impact éclairent réellement les résultats du développement et renforcent le rôle de la société civile. Pour y parvenir, les évaluations doivent commencer par une définition des priorités au niveau local, où les communautés, les institutions traditionnelles, les groupes de femmes, les réseaux de jeunes et les populations vulnérables définissent ensemble ce que signifie la réussite et quels résultats comptent le plus. Cela permet d’ancrer les évaluations dans les réalités vécues plutôt que dans des cadres externes imposés.
Les évaluations doivent ensuite être conçues en fonction des capacités locales, en combinant la rigueur scientifique avec des méthodes adaptées au contexte, telles que la recherche-action participative, les fiches d’évaluation communautaires, le suivi sentinelle et les mécanismes de rétroaction rapide. Des outils de collecte de données simplifiés, des technologies mobiles et des canaux de communication culturellement appropriés réduisent les obstacles à la participation.
Le renforcement des capacités techniques de la société civile est crucial. La formation des organisations de la société civile aux principes de suivi, évaluation et apprentissage, à la littératie des données et à l’apprentissage adaptatif les aide à produire, interpréter et utiliser efficacement les données probantes. Les partenariats avec les universités et les instituts de recherche renforcent davantage la crédibilité.
Enfin, les résultats de l’évaluation doivent être traduits en informations exploitables et pertinentes au niveau local, en utilisant des récits, des tableaux de bord visuels et des forums de rétroaction qui résonnent auprès des parties prenantes communautaires. Lorsque les données probantes reflètent les voix locales, respectent les contextes culturels et soutiennent la résolution pratique des problèmes, elles deviennent un moteur puissant d’un développement inclusif, responsable et durable.
Dr Uzodinma Adirieje, DDP, CMC, CMTF, FAHOA, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FICSA
Nigeria
Uzodinma Adirieje
National President
Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posté le 07/12/2025
Supporting UN Reform – Global Impact Evaluation Forum 2025 (Civil Society Perspective)
Supporting the ongoing UN reform agenda—especially its focus on coordination, efficiency, and country-level impact—is essential for improving the lives of rural and poor urban populations in Africa and other resource-poor regions. The impact evaluation community can play a transformative role by strengthening coherence, accountability, and value for money across the UN system.
First, evaluators must champion harmonized measurement frameworks that reduce duplication and align UN agencies, governments, and civil society around shared indicators. Common frameworks improve comparability, promote joint planning, and ensure that results reflect community priorities rather than institutional silos.
Second, the community should support country-led, context-sensitive evaluations that amplify local voices. By embedding participatory approaches, engaging community-based organizations, and acknowledging traditional knowledge systems, evaluations become more relevant and actionable for marginalized populations.
Third, evaluators can foster cost-effective programming by generating evidence on what works, what does not, and why. This requires strengthening real-time monitoring, adaptive learning, and the use of digital tools (including AI) to track performance and inform timely course corrections. Clear communication of findings—through policy briefs, dashboards, and community dialogues—helps optimize resource allocation.
Fourth, the community should reinforce collaboration across UN agencies, promoting joint evaluations, shared data platforms, and cross-sector learning. These reduce transaction costs and enhance integrated delivery of health, climate, livelihood, and social protection services.
Ultimately, by advancing evidence-driven reforms, the impact evaluation community can help the UN deliver more coherent, inclusive, and cost-effective solutions—ensuring that rural and poor urban populations receive equitable attention and lasting development gains.
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, DDP, CMC, CMTF, FAHOA, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FICSA