The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman, has emphasized that Nigeria’s development and security challenges cannot be resolved by policy intentions alone but require disciplined implementation anchored on measurable results. She made this known during a Policy Formulation, Analysis and Implementation Capstone Course lecture on Policy Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) at the National Defence College, Abuja, where she was represented by the Technical Aide on Presidential Priorities.

In her address, Bala Usman described Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning as the critical bridge between well-crafted policies and tangible outcomes for citizens. She noted that in an increasingly complex governance environment, evidence-informed policymaking has become essential, stressing that MEL provides government with the tools to track progress, assess impact, identify implementation gaps, and make timely adjustments to policies and programmes.

She further explained that institutionalising data-driven systems and clear performance indicators ensures that public resources are aligned with national priorities and deliver real value to Nigerians. According to her, effective MEL frameworks also promote learning and adaptation, enabling policies to evolve based on evidence from the field, including lessons drawn from both successes and failures.

Bala Usman concluded by charging participants to champion a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous learning, describing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning as a cornerstone of effective governance and strategic leadership.