The United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL) is a seven-year public sector accountability and governance programme. The programme is aimed at supporting core systems and processes for the delivery of public goods and services, ensuring that citizens are engaged in these processes. In the first five years of the programme, 2016 to 2021, the programme worked in partner states (Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa) and regional hubs (South East, South West and North East) with a Federal component facilitating vertical linkages. For the latter two years, which is an extension period, the programme refocused its priority areas and geographical footprint to align with the evolving context in FCDO. In March 2021, PERL completed its initial 5-year period and closed out in the regional hubs.

The programme approach in the hubs centered on lesson learning and experience sharing to broaden good reform practices across the region. Over the years of working in the regional hubs, PERL contributed to key results and outcomes including improvement in the business environment, strengthened the capacity of regional platforms, improved citizens participation in planning and budgeting, and improved revenue generation processes.

The North East Closeout and dissemination event, consisting of both physical and online participants, held in Abuja on Thursday the 9^th of December 2021. It comprised of various sessions where PERL showcased its tools and partners had the opportunity to provide feedback on their experience working with PERL and to develop an action plan of how the reforms will be sustained beyond PERL’s exit.

In attendance were representatives of state and non-state actors from each of the states in the region, FCDO Programme Manager, FCDO Northern Regional Coordinator and PERL colleagues.

Below are some excerpts from the event:

“PERL has contributed to budget performance improvement, initiative in securing e-procurement in the state, improved citizens budget, improved linkages between plans, policies and budget, preparation of their MTSS which has grossly improved their capacity” – Hon. Baba Malam Wali, Secretary to the State Government, Yobe State.

“Technical support from PERL ARC has brought more value to women in governance, it has brought a shift in the trend of things” - Hajia Mairo Lawan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Borno State

“PERL has rendered valuable help to Borno state in the areas of fiscal forecasting and MTEF, Governance review, strengthened policy making, improved organizational effectiveness (Corporate plans, HRM policy, procurement planning)” – Alh. Buna Monguno, Executive Secretary, ACED, Borno State.

“State leadership is the key success factor to reform”- Yusuf Jajare, Former Yobe State Reform Manager, PERL