Transparency & Accountability
Promoting Democratic Accountability in Kano and Jigawa States
Donor: National Endowment for Democracy (NED)
Duration: 2012
Coverage: Nigeria
In a bid to enhance the delivery of democratic dividends, CDD engaged in and executed this project in Kano and Jigawa States. The project enhanced the capacity of residents of the States, and their environs, to engage budget processes and in effect promote good governance and service delivery. The project involved primarily local actors, it created a platform for citizens and governments to engage in respect of the design and implementation of the budget in the two states. The Radio Programme ‘Akasa fai fai’ became a very effective channel of interaction between the government and the people in the two states. Local actors in the state have since adopted the project and are now engaging the government on budget issues constantly. This project has been concluded successfully, to the funder's satisfaction.
- https://www.modernghana.com/news/563677/akasa-a-fai-fai-on-freedom-radio-jigawa.html#google_vignette
Mending the leakages: Africa’s Battle Against Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs)
Donor: Trust Africa
Duration: 2014
Coverage: Nigeria
In response to the plaguing issue of Illicit Financial Flows in Nigeria and Africa, the organisation embarked on this project to understand the issues and make possible recommendations that can curtail the menace. A Consultative Round-table on “Mending the leakages: Africa’s Battle Against Illicit Financial Flows.” The event brought together an array of stakeholders across Africa with respect to the issue. Specifically, policy makers within governments and multilateral institutions, researchers, activists from within civil society organisations and social movements were targeted. A communique emanated from the round-table calling for better advocacy on the issue, the building of capacity of civil society to better understand and engage the issue and advocate for collective regional frameworks of response and a development of a multi-stakeholder platform for managing natural resources among several others.
- https://www.modernghana.com/news/531171/mending-the-leakages-africas-battle-against-illicit-financ.html
- https://trustafrica.org/publication/communique-on-illicit-financial-flows/
- https://dailytrust.com/nigeria-hosts-roundtable-on-africa-s-illicit-financial-flow/
Curbing Illicit Financial Flows in Nigeria
Donor: Trust Africa
Duration: 2018-2020
Coverage: Nigeria
Following resource mobilisation challenge confronting Africa, and Nigeria in particular, and the revelation by Thabo Mbeki’s panel on IFFs, it becomes imperative that a national-level analysis of divergent but interrelated issues of IFFs is critically interrogated, examined and policy framework proposed to address the economic quagmire. As a result, CDD commissioned four reports, convened meetings to deliberate on Nigeria’s peculiar issues, and organised several campaigns to create awareness and enlighten Nigerians about it. This project was concluded in 2016.
Strengthening Budget Transparency through Public Participation: Monitoring the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) and State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (SEEDS)
Donor: European Union (EU
Duration:2006-2009
Coverage: Nigeria
This project was funded by the European Commission (EC) for three years (2006 – 2009); it was worth 1.2 million Euros. The project was implemented in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria with a specific focus on the following states: Osun, Kano, and Cross River, Anambra, Borno, Jigawa states and the FCT. As part of the project implementation, CDD engaged policy makers and technical staff members of the National Planning Commission and their State counterparts and civil society allies in the development of the NEEDS and the SEEDs economic policy blueprint.
Specifically, the research and advocacy were carried out in 3 sectors, Health, Education and Water Resources. The CDD and the state civil society partners carried out quarterly analysis of budget implementation to ascertain whether it is in line with the commitments made in the NEEDS and SEEDS document. This process was further enhanced through advocacy and dialogues around issues that underpin sustainable development in the focal states and nationally. The quarterly analyses done on the project were published in a newsletter called the Public Finance Watch.
Nigeria Anti-Corruption Agencies Strengthening Initiative Project (NACASIP)/Anti-Corruption Agencies (ACA) Project (I&II)
Donor: MacArthur Foundation
Duration: 4+ Years (2021 - Present)
Coverage: National.
The evaluation of the Nigeria Anti-Corruption Agencies Strengthening Initiative Project (NACASIP) has yielded several significant findings that highlight the progress, challenges, and impact of the project across various beneficiary agencies.
In particular, the project accomplished as follows:
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Strengthening Operational Effectiveness:
The project successfully identified and supported both federal and state-level anti-corruption agencies, including the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF), and Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR). At the state level, support was extended to the newly established anti-corruption agencies in Oyo, Jigawa, and Kaduna states. One of the critical strengths of NACASIP was its alignment with the Strategic Action Plans (SAPs) of these agencies. This alignment ensured that the project activities were not only relevant but also integrated into the agencies' ongoing priorities, guaranteeing continuity and retention of the gains achieved. Also, there was active involvement of beneficiary agencies in the procurement process and emerged as a good practice example. This joint approach enabled better problem-solving and flexibility in addressing issues as they arose.
2.Impact on Beneficiary Agencies:
The project had a substantial impact on the beneficiary agencies, building on the achievements of NACASIP I. For instance, the support provided to EFCC under NACASIP I for its forensic laboratory was expanded in NACASIP II with additional equipment and training. This continuity ensured that the agencies could further develop and sustain the improvements made. The alignment of project activities with the agencies' mandates and SAPs also indicated that the impact of NACASIP II would be sustained beyond the project's lifespan. This was evident in the significant changes observed across the agencies. For example, the Code of Conduct Bureau's (CCB’s) implementation of an online asset declaration system led to a substantial increase in the number of declarations, enhancing transparency and accountability. Efforts were also made to maintain gender balance in training and capacity-building initiatives. However, some gaps were noted, such as the all-male staffing of the EFCC's Forensic Chemistry Laboratory, highlighting the need for more deliberate recruitment efforts to ensure diversity.
3.Strengthening Interagency Collaboration:
A major objective of NACASIP II was to facilitate and foster interagency collaboration. However, the project encountered challenges in this area. There was no indication of joint Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) or training among the agencies. Although a meeting for state-level anti-corruption units was held in October 2023, there was limited interaction at the federal level. Despite these challenges, some good practices emerged. For instance, the establishment of a website by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) to enable agencies to post their activities and share experiences was a positive step towards enhancing interagency coordination. However, the extent of its usage remains unclear.
4.Capacity Building for State-Level and National ACAs:
NACASIP II extended support to state-level anti-corruption agencies in Jigawa, Kaduna, and Oyo states. This support included peer learning, capacity building, and provision of necessary equipment. The state-level agencies benefited significantly from these initiatives, gaining a better understanding of their mandates and enhancing their skills in areas such as investigation, prosecution, and asset recovery.
5.Providing Technical Support and Assistance:
The project provided extensive technical support to beneficiary agencies, including high-grade ICT equipment, forensic tools, and other technical resources. This support was complemented by targeted training on the use of these tools and other relevant skills. The enhancements included online asset declaration platforms for the CCB, near-completion of forensic labs for the EFCC, and upgraded ICT infrastructure for the ICPC and NFIU.
NACASIP/ACA SUCCESS STORIES:
1.Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB):
The CCB transitioned to an efficient online asset declaration system with the support of NACASIP II. The project provided essential ICT equipment, leading to a significant increase in online declarations. This digitalization improved the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of the Bureau, reducing reliance on manual processes and enhancing the accuracy of asset declarations.
2.Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC):
NACASIP II established a Forensic Chemistry Laboratory at the EFCC's Port Harcourt office, addressing the critical need for in-house analysis of crude oil and derivatives. The laboratory, now 90% complete, enhances EFCC’s investigative capabilities and supports inter-agency collaborations. The project also included training and certification for EFCC staff, positioning them as expert witnesses in court.
3.Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC):
The project significantly upgraded the ICPC’s forensic and ICT infrastructure. Key achievements include the establishment of a forensic laboratory, the digitalization of petition management, and enhanced communication systems. These upgrades have strengthened the ICPC's investigative and prosecutorial capabilities, as well as its public mobilisation efforts.
4.Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU):
NACASIP II provided the NFIU with advanced ICT equipment and targeted training, enhancing its ability to analyse and disseminate financial intelligence. This support improved the NFIU’s operational efficiency and bolstered its role in combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
5.Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR):
The project supported TUGAR in developing an interactive learning tool for the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and enhancing its role in inter-agency coordination. TUGAR also played a key role in global anti-corruption forums, contributing to the adoption of a significant resolution on Beneficial Ownership Transparency.
6.Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAuGF):
NACASIP II enhanced the forensic audit capabilities of the OAuGF by providing specialised equipment and training. This support resulted in the production of forensic audit reports and the digitalization of the OAuGF’s human resource management system, improving overall efficiency and accountability.
7.State-Level Anti-Corruption Agencies:
The project provided capacity-building support to anti-corruption units in Jigawa, Kaduna, and Oyo states. These initiatives improved their understanding of mandates and enhanced their investigative and prosecutorial skills. For example, Oyo State integrated new asset recovery strategies, significantly improving its operational effectiveness.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OS-D2sx0bo
- https://www.cddwestafrica.org/blog/rethinking-nigeria-s-anti-corruption-campaign/
Nigeria Transitional Architecture Project – MacArthur Foundation
Donor: MacArthur Foundation
Duration: 1 Years (2022 - 2023)
Coverage: North and South, Nigeria
The Boko Haram agitations took a violent turn in 2009 and, in 2012, CDD responded with an intervention in the North-East beginning with organising a stakeholders’ forum in 2012 to deliberate on non-kinetic strategies to ending the insurgency. Since then, CDD has engaged in series of Peace Building, Reconciliation, Reintegration and PCVE and Human Rights activities in the North-East including facilitating dialogue meetings with the state and non-state actors on trust, peace building and PCVE engagement across Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State. This has largely been achieved by adopting a multi stakeholder approach working closely with state governments, international partners, academics, local NGOs, relevant government institutions. Our areas of engagements include peacebuilding, supporting transitional justice, countering violent extremism, capacity building workshop, reconciliation and reintegration efforts in the Northeast Nigeria.
To launch its transitional justice program and maximise its impact, the Centre established its field office in Maiduguri, Borno state in 2018. The Centre has provided technical support to the Operation Safe Corridor (OSCP) on de-radicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant Boko Haram members as part of its transitional justice project. The CDD collaborated with Presidential Committee for Northeast Initiative (PCNI), the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Atrocity Units of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) after inclusive consultations to design the project on Mainstreaming Transitional Justice into the post-conflict reconstruction efforts of North East, Nigeria. In November 2019, CDD commenced a social coherence project tagged “Living Together in Post-Boko Haram Gwoza” in Gwoza and Pulka communities using the notion of "Zumunci” translated as "cultural solidarity in Hausa as part of its Transitional Justice Peacebuilding interventions in the Northeast of Nigeria This was a one-year, monthly peacebuilding project implemented by CDD with funding from McArthur Foundation. The Centre worked with local actors to strengthen inter-group social bonds, as well as rebuild inter-faith trust and dialogue in the aftermath of the Boko Haram insurgency. In November 2020, the Centre with support from OSIWA organised a 1-day Town Hall Meeting to strengthen civil-military relations in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe state. About 300 participants including the military, police, civil defence corps, traditional and religious leaders, youth, women and the local vigilante (civilian JTF) attended the meeting. The main theme of discussion centred on the need to protect human rights especially civilian population in conflict by ensuring that rules of engagement for the security agencies is in line with Geneva Convention and promote harmonious civil-military relations in communities affected by the Boko Haram insurgency
Beyond the long-term interventions in the northeast, CDD periodically implements short term peace projects. One such was conducted in February 2017 with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the government of Japan. The CDD organised a residential capacity building program on de-radicalization, counterterrorism and migration for 440 participants in the Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. Participants included Clerics, Youth & Women, Community Stakeholders on Countering Radical Extremism in BAY States. The main aim of the workshop was to strengthen capacity for counter-radical narratives for clerics, youth and women community stakeholders. Proffer counter-narratives to extremist views and perspectives towards preventing and countering radical views capable of breeding terrorism and radicalization. The Centre also produced counter narrative message materials such as Visual Documentary material, Visual Songs and Preaching material, Audio material songs and Preaching materials and Audio-visual Materials. One of the key lessons learned is that faith traditions, the youth and women dialogue provide a significant resource for healing broken relationships at the personal, community, and regional levels; which is also vital for countering radical extremism.
The project implementation strategy took cognizance of the importance of community participation and ownership in transitional justice mechanisms as this will not only engender acceptance of the process but redress the lack of inclusion and marginalisation identified as partly responsible for the emergence of Boko Haram. Another key component is the role of traditional justice systems. Traditional justice systems play an invaluable function in conflict and dispute resolution especially among disadvantaged populations in conflict and post conflict environments. This is so because the formal justice systems are often inoperative or inaccessible in such situations.
The following are our ongoing and completed interventions in the northeast region;
- Capacity building for Ulaamas on De-Radicalization, Counter-Terrorism and Migration in Northern Nigeria (DCM). On this CVE project CDD successfully trained about 400 Ulaamas- Clerics across the Northeast Region
- Capacity building Workshop for Ulaamas on Sulhu Alheri Ne (Preparing Communities on Peacebuilding & Reconciliation)
- Capacity building Workshop for Community Leaders & NOA Staff on Sulhu Alheri Ne
- Providing Technical Support to Operation Safe Corridor (OSCP) on DDR Program in Mallamsidi Training Camp in Gombe where numerous ex-combatants were rehabilitated and reintegrated into communities
- Building the capacity of communities on implementing Local approaches to Transitional Justice mechanisms e.g., Sulhu, Kabara in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states
- CDD is also partnering with Dandal Kura Radio and Peace FM Radio stations in sponsoring Radio Drama and Radio programs on forgiveness, reconciliation and reintegration, human rights awareness, and countering fake news and disinformation.
- Working with the Ministry of Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR) to develop the initiative for implementing a local transitional justice approach- Sulhu a restorative justice mechanism through a localised court system in Borno.
- CDD is also working in collaboration with NHRC in combating SGBV and promoting human rights across Lake Chad including sponsoring 50 episodes of Radio program and 13 episodes of Radio Drama on forgiveness and reconciliation and protection of human rights.
- CDD has empowered local NGOs on case management of victims of human rights abuses
- Mainstream countering Fake News- Disinformation into conflict analysis and intervention
- https://www.cddwestafrica.org/uploads/reports/file/Sulhu-Alheri-Ne_-Replacing-evil-with-something-better.pdf
- https://www.cddwestafrica.org/reports/sulhu-alheri-ne-replacing-evil-with-something-better-promoting-alternative-peacebuilding-narratives/
- https://www.cddwestafrica.org/reports/sulhu-alheri-ne-replacing-evil-with-something-better-promoting-alternative-peacebuilding-narratives/
- https://atjlf.org/enhancing-post-boko-haram-transitional-justice-processes-in-northeast-nigeria/
- https://humanglemedia.com/cdd-trains-clerics-launch-manual-on-peace-building-reconciliation-process-in-north-east-nigeria/