Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit, delivered a keynote address at the close-out ceremony of the Agora Policy Writing Fellowship in Abuja on June 25. She emphasized that policy writing is a public responsibility, not merely a technical exercise, and that the quality of policy thinking shapes outcomes. Usman noted that Nigeria has no shortage of ideas but struggles to convert them into measurable improvements for citizens.
The Democratic Purpose of Evidence-Based Policy
Usman invoked John Dewey's concept of democracy as "a mode of associated living," arguing that democracy is sustained by participation, communication, and shared responsibility. Evidence-based policy strengthens democratic life by enabling informed citizen engagement and accountable governance. She praised the Agora Policy Writing Fellowship for cultivating rigorous analysis and practical policy arguments.
Launch of Two Key Portals
The event also unveiled the Local Governance Accountability Portal and the Policy Registry by Agora Policy. The Local Governance Accountability Portal provides data on local government profiles, financial allocations, and elected officials, aiming to make local governance more transparent and accountable. The Policy Registry serves as a central repository for policy documents, addressing the fragility of institutional memory and policy discontinuity in Nigeria.
National Policy Coordination Framework
Usman highlighted the National Policy Coordination Framework, developed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation with support from partners. The framework seeks to strengthen coherence, tracking, and accountability across government, ensuring that policies align with national priorities and that implementation is systematically assessed. She stressed that fragmentation of policy effort is a recurring challenge, and the framework promotes clarity, alignment, and measurable deliverables.
Reforms and Implementation Challenges
Nigeria is undertaking significant reforms in public finance, revenue mobilisation, social investment, education, infrastructure, agriculture, security, and public service delivery. Usman cited examples like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and consumer credit architecture, emphasizing that interventions must be part of a broader development logic. She called for disciplined implementation, institutional coordination, credible data, and citizen-centred evaluation.
Role of Policy Writers and Researchers
Usman urged graduating fellows to bring discipline, clarity, and responsibility to public debate. She encouraged them to engage with institutions, translate research into actionable briefs, and support civic education. "Policy writing should not end on the page; it should inform institutions, shape public discourse, and contribute to measurable improvement," she said. She also called for stronger collaboration between think tanks like Agora Policy and government institutions to enhance credibility and impact.
