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
Posted on 18/09/2023
Thanks for this topic/focus.
I would add a 7th consideration on how qualitative methods interact or differ from quantitative methods:
During the dissemination of the results and recommendations – How are results and recommendations from qualitative and quantitative methods disseminated for the most effective outcome/impact, and to whom?
Is there evidence that certain dissemination approaches for qualitative and quantitative results are more effective/receptive to certain/most stakeholders than other approaches?
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje
Past National President, Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE)
CEO/Programmes Director, Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA)
Nigeria
Uzodinma Adirieje
National President
Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posted on 05/11/2025
BEYOND THE FINAL REPORT: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO COMMUNICATE EVALUATION WELL?
by Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje
former National President, Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE)
Effective communication of evaluation goes far beyond producing a final report. It requires strategic, inclusive, and continuous engagement with diverse stakeholders before, during, and after the evaluation process. Communicating evaluation well means ensuring that evidence is not only generated but also understood, trusted, and used to inform decisions, improve performance, and drive change.
1. Clarity of purpose and audience: Evaluators must identify who needs the information—policy makers, implementers, funders, or communities—and tailor communication to their needs, literacy levels, and contexts. A technical report alone rarely moves decision-makers; instead, a blend of policy briefs, infographics, dashboards, community dialogues, and social media summaries ensures accessibility and resonance.
2. Timeliness and relevance: Waiting until the end of an evaluation to share findings limits influence. Continuous feedback loops, participatory sense-making sessions, and interim briefs help keep stakeholders engaged and build ownership of results. Communication should be iterative—helping users interpret data, understand implications, and act on insights as they emerge.
3. Storytelling and visualization: These transform data into compelling narratives that connect with human experiences. Visual tools such as graphs, maps, and success stories breathe life into statistics and demonstrate real-world impacts. Evaluators must also be culturally sensitive communicators, respecting local languages, norms, and values to ensure messages are accepted and understood.
4. Building relationships and trust: Communicating Evaluation involves transparency, integrity, and responsiveness—turning evaluation from a bureaucratic exercise into a learning journey. When communication bridges evidence and action, evaluation becomes a catalyst for accountability, transformation, and sustainable development.
Beyond the final report therefore, effective evaluation communication demands empathy, creativity, and collaboration—anchored in the purpose of learning and improving lives.
Nigeria
Uzodinma Adirieje
National President
Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) and Afrihealth Optonet Association
Posted on 28/10/2025
What low- or no-cost strategies have you used to share findings effectively?
Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), under the leadership of Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, has consistently employed innovative, low- and no-cost strategies to ensure that evaluation and research findings are effectively communicated, widely disseminated, and practically utilized. Recognizing the financial constraints often faced by civil society organizations, AHOA emphasizes approaches that rely on local partnerships, digital tools, and participatory communication channels to maximize impact at minimal cost.
One key strategy is leveraging existing community structures and networks, such as traditional leaders, community-based organizations, faith groups, and youth associations, to disseminate findings during meetings, advocacy visits, and social gatherings. These trusted community platforms facilitate dialogue and ownership without requiring large budgets. AHOA also utilizes social media and digital communication tools—including WhatsApp, Facebook, X (Twitter), and email—to share evaluation results, infographics, and success stories with stakeholders across Nigeria and beyond. This approach ensures real-time, wide-reaching engagement at virtually no cost.
In addition, AHOA organizes virtual dissemination events, webinars, and online workshops with local and international partners to discuss findings, lessons learned, and policy implications. This reduces logistical expenses while expanding access and participation. Furthermore, AHOA produces concise policy briefs, fact sheets, and press releases written in clear, non-technical language for policymakers, community members, and media outlets. Through these low-cost strategies, Dr. Adirieje and AHOA effectively bridge the gap between evidence generation and action—promoting transparency, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable community-driven development.
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)
Pioneer Fellow and former National President (2019 - 2024), Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE)
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)