Nigeria, UK Reaffirm Partnership on Governance Reforms, Improved Public Service Delivery
The Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Head of the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU), Hadiza Bala Usman, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United Kingdom in advancing government delivery, institutional reforms and evidence-based performance management.
She made the statement during a farewell visit by the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Richard Montgomery CMG, to the CRDCU office in Abuja.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on more than three years of collaboration between the CRDCU and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), whose technical support has played a key role in strengthening Nigeria’s government delivery framework and supporting the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Eight Presidential Priority Areas.
Welcoming the High Commissioner, Hadiza Bala Usman expressed appreciation to Dr. Montgomery and the FCDO for their continued partnership and commitment to improving public sector performance in Nigeria.
She noted that through programmes such as the Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and Performance and Accountability for Citizens’ Empowerment (PACE), the FCDO has supported the institutionalisation of performance management systems across government.
According to her, the partnership has contributed to the development of delivery frameworks, performance monitoring mechanisms, ministerial deliverables, quarterly assessments, independent validation processes, capacity building and stronger coordination among government institutions.
Bala Usman also highlighted several key reform initiatives that have benefited from FCDO support, including the NYSC Reform Committee, the National Public Policy Development and Management Framework, the Committee on Coordination of Youth Initiatives, Climate Change and Climate Finance Coordination, the EFCC Performance Charter, and the ongoing Mandate Mapping exercise across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
She said these interventions have strengthened government capacity to deliver measurable outcomes, promote accountability and improve service delivery to Nigerians.
In his remarks, Dr. Richard Montgomery commended the progress recorded by the CRDCU under Hadiza Bala Usman’s leadership, describing the Unit as a vital institution in translating government priorities into measurable results.
He praised the efforts to build a culture of accountability and performance management across government, expressing confidence that the systems established would continue to deliver long-term impact.
The High Commissioner also appreciated the productive relationship between the CRDCU and the FCDO, noting that the achievements recorded demonstrate the importance of strong institutions, effective coordination and international cooperation in driving sustainable reforms.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the Nigeria–United Kingdom partnership, with a shared focus on strengthening institutions, improving governance and enhancing public service delivery.
They also looked forward to the forthcoming Peer Exchange between the Nigeria CRDCU and the United Kingdom Delivery Unit, which will provide an opportunity for further knowledge sharing and improvement of government delivery systems.
The Special Adviser wished Dr. Montgomery success in his future endeavours and expressed appreciation for his dedication to Nigeria’s development and his contributions towards strengthening governance reforms during his tenure as British High Commissioner to Nigeria.
Nigeria, UK Reaffirm Partnership on Governance Reforms, Improved Public Service Delivery