PERL equips the National Economic Council Secretariat with valuable skills for improved performance

March 11, 2020 11:21:23 AM Published by: PERL
Module PictureA group photograph of the participants at the Module 3 Training of the NEC Secretariat Strengthening Programme in Uyo

The Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) has continued to strengthen the National Economic Council (NEC) Secretariat to ensure it continues to deliver value to the National Economic Council, the Community of Practice of State Commissioners of Budget and Planning, and the Joint Planning Board (JPB) at the Federal level.

PERL supported the Module 3 Training of the NEC Secretariat Strengthening Programme held from 5th to 7th March 2020 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Module 3, which is a follow-up to Modules 1 and 2 (held in Abuja and Lagos respectively), is the last of the series of the capacity building programme aimed at strengthening the NEC Secretariat to:

  • effectively monitor and track implementation of NEC resolutions;
  • coordinate Communities of Practice (CoP) and other intergovernmental platforms to achieve results;
  • improve support for effective policy-making and implementation - linking evidence, policy, programmes, budget and implementation management;
  • establish sustainability structures such as Knowledge Management and Standard Operating Procedures in the NEC secretariat; and
  • demonstrate the leadership and relational skills necessary to achieve success with key stakeholders.
 
The Director Special Duties, NEC Secretariat, making welcome remarks during the NEC Secretariat Strengthening session in Uyo  
 
A cross-section of the participants at the Module 3 Training of the NEC Secretariat Strengthening Programme in Uyo  



In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMFBNP), Mrs Olusola O. Idowu, represented by the Director, Special Duties Department, FMFBNP, Mr Kayode Adeniran, appreciated the support of DFID-PERL towards improving the skills of the staff of the NEC Secretariat and for supporting the Community of Practice of the State Commissioners of Budget and Planning.

She said, “Let me state categorically that the cooperation between DFID-PERL and the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has continued to grow in recent times. In particular, DFID-PERL had actively been involved in organizing, hosting and providing Technical support to the Community of Practice (CoP) meetings.”

“The Forum, as you know, is for State Commissioners responsible for Planning and Budgeting. It has thus, created an avenue for the Commissioners to learn from each other, peer–review plans and Programmes, as well as using one another as benchmark in resolving challenges, sharing knowledge and innovative ideas from their individual States,” said the Permanent Secretary.

The NEC Secretariat is a department in the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, which provides secretariat support to the National Economic Council, which has as members, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo as the Chairman; the 36 States’ Governors of the Federation; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; relevant Ministers and the Minister of FCT; and the Permanent Secretary of Budget and National Planning as its Secretary.

NEC is charged with the responsibilities of advising the President on matters concerning the Economic Affairs of the Federation, especially on measures necessary for the co-ordination of the economic planning efforts of the Government of Nigeria.

Speaking on the impact of the NEC Secretariat Capacity Strengthening programme, Mr Kayode said the Capacity Development Programme has led to greater understanding of the strategic role of NEC in the Nigerian economy, understanding of the policy formulation process and its connection to NEC, improved quality of minutes and report writing for the NEC meetings, improved record management of the Department of Special Duties, and a demonstration of communication skills among staff to resolve conflicts easily.

 
A group discussion among the participants at the Module 3 Training of the NEC Secretariat Strengthening Programme in Uyo  

The participants also expressed satisfaction about the impact of the capacity building programme, a participant, Moses Onwuanishia said, “This training has equipped staff with appreciable knowledge to be more than just minute takers. The Department has generated an understanding of strategic planning to garner more from what we do at the Secretariat.”

The NEC Capacity Strengthening Programme started with a skills gap assessment of the NEC Secretariat during a strategic retreat session held in Enugu, Enugu State in March 2018. Following which a training programme phased in 3 modules was developed with focus on policy to delivery chain, policy coordination, negotiation, Knowledge Management, Community of Practice management, and effective monitoring and evaluation of NEC resolutions.