The United Kingdom-funded Partnership to Engage, Reform, and Learn (PERL) program, which concluded after eight years of implementation, has been commended for its significant impact on governance and service delivery in Nigeria.
Launched in 2016, PERL aimed to foster collaboration between governments and citizens at the federal, state, and local government levels. The program’s focus was on addressing governance challenges and improving public service delivery.
At the closing event in Abuja, themed “Lasting Legacies: 8 Years of Elevating Governance for a Sustainable Future,” Cynthia Rowe, Director at the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), reaffirmed the UK government’s continued support for reform programs in Nigeria, even after the conclusion of PERL.
Rowe highlighted the program’s achievements, noting that UK PERL’s technical support has empowered partner states to significantly boost their internally generated revenues. As an example, one state achieved an 80% revenue increase between 2019 and 2023, leading to improved health services and increased access to healthcare for citizens.
In Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa states, citizen participation in public resource allocation has become standard practice due to PERL’s influence. Additionally, two out of three FCDO focus states were recognized as the most transparent by the Nigeria Subnational Budget Transparency Survey and the World Bank’s fiscal transparency program.
During a panel session, former Head of Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, emphasized the significant challenge of overcoming resistance to change in Nigeria. She noted that citizens are often reluctant to embrace new approaches to governance.
Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy, and Development, urged the government to strengthen social security programs to address poverty and inequality. He highlighted the need for prioritized budgetary allocations to health, education, infrastructure, and agriculture to deliver essential services to citizens.
The PERL program has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on governance and service delivery in Nigeria. Its success demonstrates the importance of collaboration between governments and citizens in driving positive change.
