SPP, FG deepen subnational capacity on monitoring, evaluation of climate projects

SPP, FG deepen subnational capacity on monitoring, evaluation of climate projects

 

The Society for Planet and Prosperity (SPP), in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change (DCC) of the Federal Ministry of Environment, has continued its nationwide capacity-building workshop for Climate Desk Officers and Directors of Climate Change from Nigeria’s subnational governments.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ugochukwu Uzuegbu, Communications Officer, SPP, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

The second phase of the training, which focused on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of climate projects, followed an earlier session on data collection and greenhouse gas inventory evaluation and reporting held on Oct. 22.

Participants drawn from states across the federation shared their experiences on M&E, reflecting varying levels of exposure and practice.

Mr. Gboyega Olorunfemi, Project Lead at SPP and facilitator of the session, said the training was designed to address gaps in monitoring and evaluating climate change projects at the state level.

He added that the training prioritised designing effective monitoring systems and leveraging digital tools.

He explained that adopting a functional M&E framework would strengthen evidence-based decision-making, accountability and project delivery, while helping states tell a clearer and more accurate climate story that could attract climate finance to the subnational level.

Olorunfemi also differentiated between monitoring and evaluation in project management, noting that while monitoring tracks progress and improves efficiency, evaluation measures the effectiveness and impact of interventions.

He outlined a simple M&E framework built around inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, illustrating its application through a climate-resilience project example.

Dr. Iniobong Abiola-Awe, Director of the Department of Climate Change, represented by Ms. Dolapo John, said the training was designed in response to requests from subnational officials.

Abiola-Awe added that the ministry remained committed to building capacity across the states.

“Monitoring and Evaluation is a very key issue because one of the gaps identified in the second subnational governance ranking was documentation.

“Many states do not have sufficient or efficient means of documenting their activities. That’s why you see some states that were up in ranking last year decline in this year’s ranking,” she said.

She added that the ongoing exercise was part of a broader effort to strengthen climate governance at the subnational level.

The statement noted that following the release of the second subnational climate governance ranking, several states have initiated reforms to improve internal processes and capacity.

It added that the initiative, supported by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), would continue with a third phase focusing on Climate Finance and Resource Mobilisation for state-level implementation.