Johnstone Kpilaakaa KURU, JOS —“A nation’s outcome is the product of its policy implementations.”
These words from Tope Fashua, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs in Nigeria’s Presidency, set the tone for discussions at the Policy Dialogue Series on Sustainable Development in Nigeria on Tuesday, October 29. Held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, the event convened policymakers, economists, the media and stakeholders to tackle challenges in Nigeria’s policy framework and explore pathways for greater efficiency.
The dialogue, “Enhancing Policy Implementation Frameworks for Greater Efficiency and Impact,” was organised by NIPSS in collaboration with Hrishub International and the GIZ Sustainable Economic Development Initiative. The initiative aims to foster discussion on critical gaps in policy implementation, especially in the context of sustainable development.
According to Markus Wauschkuhn, Cluster Coordinator for Sustainable Economic Development at GIZ Nigeria, “The policy dialogue series aims to facilitate discussion around emerging policy issues among key stakeholders. Our focus is on identifying the gaps in policy execution, particularly in sustainable economic development.” He added that recommendations and insights from the sessions would be channelled into government advocacy.
The dialogue also spotlighted Nigeria’s struggles with policy implementation. Ezekiel Gomos, CEO of Jos Business School, pointed to longstanding challenges in executing policies effectively, which he argued have hindered progress. He cited the recent Tinubu administration’s economic reforms as an example, noting that while the intentions may be commendable, the disconnect between policy goals and public understanding often undermines effectiveness. “Even when policies are painful, people can accept them if they understand their purpose,” Gomos observed, stressing the need for clearer communication to foster public buy-in.
Some participants suggested that the failure of many policies stems from a lack of localised solutions tailored to Nigeria’s unique contexts. “One of the major reasons for failed policies is the absence of locally relevant ideas,” remarked a participant, stressing the importance of community-specific approaches.
Tracy Okoro, a partner at DigitA and the State Adoption and Domestication Lead for the Nigeria Startup Act, underscored the importance of inclusivity. She pointed to the town hall meetings that spurred the quick adoption of the Nigeria Startup Act as a model for engaging all levels of society. “If you’re creating a company policy, everyone down to the security personnel must understand its implications,” Okoro said, arguing that sustainable policy must be widely understood to be effective.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story from a live coverage at NIPSS Kuru.
