By Mkpuma Enyinna, Abakaliki
The Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Prof. Jesse Uneke has tasked critical stakeholders in all sectors of Nigeria to promote evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) in their various Ministries, MDAs, Departments and Agencies that will aid the efficient use of available resources and reposition all sectors of the economy for the much-needed national development.
Prof.Uneke made the call during a Stakeholders Consultation/ Engagement Workshop held at Royale Classic Hotel, Abuja on 29th February 2024. The workshop was jointly organized by the African Institute for Health Policy and Systems (WHO Collaboration Center), Ebonyi State University Abakaliki and David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, in collaboration with the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), International Development Research Center (IDRC) Canada, among others.
Stakeholders present in the meeting were drawn from both governmental and nongovernmental organizations which cut across Health, Environment, Women's Affairs and Social Development and the National Assembly. The capacity of these policymakers regarding the Use of Evidence in policymaking was enhanced during the plenaries anchored by the Vice Chancellor and other seasoned resource persons.
According to him, the institutionalization of evidence-informed policymaking is a needed intervention in all ministries, departments and agencies in Nigeria to reposition all sectors of the economy for overall development.
He stated that the adoption of EIPM in Nigeria, will aid the efficient use of available resources and reposition all sectors for the much-needed national development.
The stakeholders had a very robust deliberative session where they highlighted the barriers and facilitators of evidence-informed policy-making in their various MDAs, stating that the barriers include: knowledge gaps, bureaucratic bottlenecks, low political will etc. Facilitators identified were Advocacy visits to the leaders and capacity building among others. The policymakers volunteered that as champions of EIPM rising from the workshop, they shall promote EIPM in their various ministries, Departments and Agencies. They also pledged to commit more to continuous capacity development to become effective Ambassadors of evidence-informed policymaking in Nigeria.
