reduce under-five and maternal mortality · introduction 4 civil society legislative advocacy...

POLICY BRIEF ON MDG’S 4 & 5: ON REDUCTION OF UNDER FIVE

AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE

POLICY BRIEF ON MDG’S 4 & 5: ON REDUCTION OF UNDER FIVE

AND MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE

CISLAC

Supported by

A Publication of

TY DANJUMAFOUNDATION

...touching lives everyday

Executive Director, CISLAC

Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani)

PREFACE

3CIVIL SOCIETY LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY CENTRE

POLICY BRIEF ON MDGS 4 & 5: REDUCE UNDER-FIVE AND MATERNAL MORTALITY

lobally up to three hundred and fifty eight thousand women die every year due to lack of access to timely intervention and lack of skilled medical personnel. Similarly, many children under five Gyears of age, statistically up to eight million lose their lives to preventable health conditions such

as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles etc. The MDG 4 aims at reducing by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate while the MDG 5 aims at reducing by three-quarters, also between 1990 and 2015, maternal mortality ratio; and achieves, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health.

The MDGs target year 2015 is just four years away; huge amount of resources have been invested into multiple efforts at several levels to ensure that goals and targets are met within a set time frame. With target sate approaching, it has become imperative for concerned stakeholders to re-examine the policy framework within which projects and programs are implemented.

The Nigeria's Under-five mortality rate was put at 157 deaths per 1,000 live births. This translates to about one in every six children born in Nigeria dying before their fifth birthday. The infant mortality rate was put at 75 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the neonatal mortality rate is 40 deaths per 1,000 live births. Among the zones, under-five mortality ranges from 89 deaths per 1,000 births in South West to 222 deaths per 1,000 births in North East.

The policy brief has been undertaken to assess progress made in the realization of the millennium development goals MDGs 4 and 5, evaluate achievements, identify gaps and challenges, if any, and propose possible reviews that could impact positively on policy implementation in the next four years.

This brief centers on some debilitating factors affecting the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and explores the slow process in them. It further exposes the situation report on child health situation in Nigeria owing to poor health facilities. There is also a discourse on the interventions of the Federal Ministry of Health in 2007 on Integrated Maternal, New Born and Child Health Strategy which underscored regional discrepancies that exist.

This publication is made possible through funding by the TY Danjuma Foundation. We acknowledge the financial and moral support of the Foundation toward making this publication a reality.

We are grateful to Dr Aminu Magashi Garba for undertaking the preparation of this Policy Brief.

CISLAC is grateful to the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Office of the Special Assistant to the President on MDGs for their immense support during the course of preparing this brief.

Finally, CISLAC hopes this publication will go a long way to improve the activities of the MDGs.

INTRODUCTION



1. MDG TargetsThe MDG 4 aims at reducing by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate while the MDG 5 aims at reducing by three-quarters, also between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio; and achieves, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health

1.1. MDG 4: Reduce Child MortalityMore than 8 million children under five die every year. Almost 90% of all child deaths are attributable to just six conditions: neonatal causes, pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, measles, and HIV/AIDS. During 1960-1990, child mortality in developing regions was halved to one child in 10 dying before age five. The aim is to further cut child mortality by two thirds by 2015.

Of the estimated 8·795 million deaths in children younger than 5 years worldwide in 2008, infectious diseases caused 68% , with the largest percentages due to pneumonia (18%) diarrhea (15%), malaria (8%) . 41% million of deaths occurred in neonates, and the most important single causes were preterm birth complications (12%), birth asphyxia (9%), sepsis (6%) and pneumonia (4%)” Overall 49% of child deaths occurred in five countries: India, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan, and China according to the study.

Reaching the global targets for MDG 4 (a two-thirds reduction in under-five mortality) and MDG 5 (a three-quarters reduction in maternal mortality and universal access to reproductive health) would mean saving the lives of 4 million children and about 190,000 women in 2015 alone. In addition, a significant proportion of countries would advance the control of deadly diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

Reaching the MDG on reducing child mortality will require universal coverage with key effective, affordable interventions: care for newborns and their mothers; infant and young child feeding; vaccines; prevention and case management of diarrhea, pneumonia and sepsis; malaria control; and prevention and care of HIV/AIDS. In countries with high mortality, these interventions could reduce the number of deaths by more than half.

In line with the above; WHO strategies advocated to nations are;· Appropriate home care and timely treatment of complications for newborns;· Integrated management of childhood illness for all children under five years old· Expanded programme on immunization; · Infant and young child feeding.

These child health strategies are complemented by interventions for maternal health, in particular, skilled care during pregnancy and childbirth.

1.2. MDG 5: Improve Maternal Health

1. Target 5.A. Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio

2. Target 5.B. Achieve, by 2015, universal access to reproductive health

Globally, up to 358 000 women die each year in pregnancy and childbirth. Most of them die because they had no access to skilled routine and emergency care. Since 1990, some countries in Asia and Northern Africa have more than halved maternal mortality. There has also been progress in sub-Saharan Africa. But here, unlike in the developed world where a woman's life time risk of dying during or following pregnancy is 1 in 4300, the risk of maternal death is very high at 1 in 31. Increasing numbers of women are now seeking care during childbirth in health facilities and therefore it is important to ensure that quality of care provided is optimal.

Maternal mortality remains a major challenge to health systems worldwide. Reliable information about the rates and trends in maternal mortality is essential for resource mobilization, and for planning and as assessment of progress towards Millennium Development Goal 5 (MDG 5), the target for which is a 75%

reduction in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) from 1990 to 2015. An estimation of 342 900 (uncertainty interval 302 100—394 300) maternal deaths world-wide in 2008, down from 526 300 (446 400—629 600) in 1980. The global MMR decreased from 422 (358—505) in 1980 to 320 (272—388) in 1990, and was 251 (221—289) per 100 000 live births in 2008. The yearly rate of decline of the global MMR since 1990 was 1·3% (1·0—1·5). During 1990—2008, rates of yearly decline in the MMR varied between countries, from 8·8% (8·7—14·1) in the Maldives to an increase of 5·5% (5·2—5·6) in Zimbabwe. More than 50% of all maternal deaths were in only six countries in 2008 (India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). In the absence of HIV, there would have been 281 500 (243 900—327 900) maternal deaths worldwide in 2008.

Some 215 million women who would prefer to delay or avoid pregnancy still lack access to safe and effective contraception. It is estimated that satisfying the unmet need for family planning alone could cut the number of maternal deaths by almost a third.

WHO estimates that “every year approximately 8 million women endure pregnancy-related complications and around half a million die as a result. Almost 9 million children die every year, of which 4 million newborn babies die within the first month of life. In addition, 3.3 million babies are born dead.”The evidence shows that high maternal, perinatal, neonatal and child mortality rates are associated with inadequate and poor quality health services. Evidence also suggests that explicit, evidence-based, cost effective packages of interventions can improve the processes and outcomes of health care when appropriately implemented.

In line with the above, WHO advocates key working areas as follows; · Strengthening health systems and promoting interventions focusing on policies and strategies that

work, ensuring they are pro-poor and cost-effective.· Monitoring and evaluating the burden of maternal and newborn ill-health and its impact on

societies and their socio-economic development.· Building effective partnerships in order to make best use of scarce resources and minimize

duplication in efforts to improve maternal and newborn health.· Advocating for investment in maternal and newborn health by highlighting the social and economic

benefits and by emphasizing maternal mortality as human rights and equity issue. · Coordinating research, with wide-scale application, that focuses on improving maternal health in

pregnancy, during and after childbirth.

2. The Maternal and Child Health situation in Nigeria.The Nigeria's Under-five mortality rate was put at 157 deaths per 1,000 live births. This translates to about one in every six children born in Nigeria dying before their fifth birthday. The infant mortality rate was put at 75 deaths per 1,000 live births, and the neonatal mortality rate is 40 deaths per 1,000 live births. Among the zones, under-five mortality ranges from 89 deaths per 1,000 births in South West to 222 deaths per 1,000 births in North East. Infant mortality is lowest in South West with 59 deaths per 1,000 births and highest in North East with 109 deaths per 1,000 births. It has shown that higher levels of educational attainment are generally associated with lower mortality rates. Mothers with no education have the highest under-five mortality rate of 209 deaths per 1,000 live births. Rates decline sharply as mother's level of education increases.

Unplanned pregnancies among Nigerian teenagers and young women have risen despite improvements in educational levels, a report found. In 2003, 16% of pregnancies among girls and women aged 15-24 had been unintended, compared with 10% in 1990. The study from the New York-based Guttmacher Institute said low use of contraceptives was partially to blame. The institute said Nigerian authorities had failed to promote sexual health information for young Nigerians.

rdItems 20, 21, 22 and 26 of the published communiqué of 53 National Council on Health highlighted some



critical issues related to MDG 4 and 5. Item 20 revealed that the council has approved the national strategic health development plan while item 21 emphasized that the Midwifery Services Scheme (MSS) as a medium strategy for engaging midwives as front liners in primary health care centres across the federation has recorded recruiting 2488 midwives and were posted across the country. However, the communiqué observed that states should utilise their MDGs funds for the implementation of the states MSS. In items 22 and 26, the communiqué noted the slow progress towards reduction of maternal, newborn and child mortality as well as regret that Nigeria still maintains a high maternal mortality ratio of over 545 deaths per 100,000 live births and this has threatened the attainment of Millennium Development Goal 5 of reducing by 75% of maternal mortality by 2015 in the country.

Malaria is endemic throughout Nigeria. It currently accounts for nearly 110 million clinically diagnosed cases per year, 60 percent of outpatient visits, and 30 percent hospitalizations. An estimated 300,000 children die of malaria each year. It is also believed to contribute up to 11 percent maternal mortality, 25 percent infant mortality, and 30 percent under-five mortality. The National Malaria Control Strategic Plan (NMCSP) addresses national health and development priorities including the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Goals and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The NMCSP includes the following priorities:

1. To reduce malaria related mortality2. To reduce malaria parasite prevalence in children under five3. To increase ownership and use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and long-lasting insecticidal nets

(LLINs)4. To introduce and scale-up indoor residual spraying (IRS)5. To increase the use of diagnostic tests for fever patients, to improve appropriate and timely

treatment of malaria6. To increase coverage of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) of malaria during pregnancy.

3. Key Determinants of Maternal, Newborn and Childhood MortalityInadequate coverage and the low quality of essential obstetric care underlie the high maternal and newborn deaths seen in the country. In one study conducted by Federal Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (FMOH & UNFPA, 2003) on the quality of care, only 18.5% of the 4500 facilities surveyed had the capacity to provide essential obstetric care.20 Indeed, only Lagos State met the four basic essential standards of obstetric care facilities per 500,000 population (combining both public and private providers). Even where the skilled attendants were available, poor interpersonal– relations have been reported to impact negatively on utilization of services by women. The lack of emergency obstetric services in many hospitals is due to the failure to run shifts.

Recent evidence from other African countries confirms that the introduction of a limited number of high-impact, low-cost interventions could lead to a significant reduction in mortality among vulnerable groups in the population. The coverage of these interventions varies widely between and within countries. In some countries, progress achieved in the early 1980s and 1990s has not been sustained and the coverage has, in fact, regressed. For example, the use of insecticide- treated nets (ITNs), which can reduce child deaths from malaria by about 17%,47 remains low in Africa, at about 15%;48 but is even lower in Nigeria where usage is estimated at about 1% .

4. Key Indicators for measuring success are; · Maternal mortality ratio· Proportion of births assisted by skilled birth attendant· Contraceptive prevalence rate· Under-5 mortality rate· Infant mortality rate



· Percentage of one-year olds fully immunized against measles

5. The Integrated Maternal, New Born and Child Health StrategyThe problem of delivering quality health care to women and children is both technical and operational. It includes choosing the right strategies and formalizing the arrangements to deliver these selected bundles of interventions to more than 80% of those who need the services in a cost-effective, impact-maximizing way. It is against this backdrop that the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) strategy was put together to fast-track a programme designed to revitalize primary health care in every local government and considerably extend coverage, thereby reducing maternal, newborn and under-5 mortality in line with the country's targets for the 4th and 5th MDGs.

The Integrated Maternal, New Born and Child Health Strategy developed in 2007 has highlighted the wide regional disparities that exist in health indicators, with north-east and north-west presenting the worst figures. The health system continues to witness a low coverage of high impact interventions of maternal, newborn and child health.

It captured the major causes of maternal death which include:

· Haemorrhage 23%

· Infections 17%

· Toxaemia/Eclampsia 11%

· Unsafe Abortion 11%

· Obstructed Labour 11%

· Malaria 11%

· Anaemia 11%

And also the major causes of U5 mortality are:

· Malaria 24%

· Pneumonia 20%

· Diarrhea 16%

· Measles 6%

· HIV 5%

· 26% Neonatal Conditions

The overall objective of the strategy is to reduce maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality in line with MDG 4 and 5.

Its specific objectives are to:

· Improve access to good quality health services; ensure adequate provision of medical and laboratory supplies, drugs, bundled vaccines, reproductive health (RH) commodities, insecticide-treated nets, and the provision and maintenance of basic equipment.

· To strengthen the capacity of individuals, families and the community to take necessary MNCH actions at home and to recognize when to seek appropriate health care solutions.

· Improve capacity for organization and management of MNCH services.

· Establish a financing mechanism that ensures adequate funding, affordability, equity, and the efficient use of funds from various sources, strengthen supervision, monitoring and evaluation



systems, to ensure accurate and timely laboratory services, to assess the progress towards achieving the maternal and child health MDGs.

· Establish and sustain partnerships to support the implementation of the IMNCH strategy

The successful implementation of this strategy will depend on the actualization of the on-going reforms in the health sector. In addition, concurrent improvements in other sectors like water resources, education, information, agriculture and power supply will make a significant contribution towards the achievement of the health-related millennium goals. The leadership role of the state, the local government, and the community is the key to the success in implementing this strategy. Therefore advocacy is crucial at all levels to ensure a strong commitment.

6. Policy Recommendations As a preamble to the recommendations below, it is pertinent to know that Nigeria has endorsed the United Nation's Secretary General's Strategy on women's and children's health, and affirms that the initiatives is in full alignment to the existing country-led efforts through the National Health Plan and strategies targeted for implementation for the period 2010 – 2015, with a focus on the MDGs in the first instance and the national Vision 20 – 2020. In this regard, Nigeria is committed to fully funding its health program at $31.63 per capita through increasing budgetary allocation to as much as 15% from an average of 5% by the Federal, States and Local Government Areas by 2015. This will include financing from the proposed 2% of the Consolidated Federal Revenue Capital to be provided in the National Health Bill targeted at pro-poor women's and children's health services. Nigeria will work towards the integration of services for maternal, newborn and child Health, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as strengthening Health Management Information Systems.

· The National Primary Health Care Development fund which is planned to be funded from money in the form of taxes on alcohol, tobacco and road traffic insurance schemes, value-added tax and other existing taxes at the federal and state level has not been effective to finance the provision of a basic minimum package of health services in primary health care facilities. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency should work with Federal and State Ministry of Health, NGOs and Media to sensitize relevant stakeholders as well as ensure its implementation.

· Improving and sustaining women's and children's access to an affordable package of life-saving health interventions will require strengthened health systems with sufficient skilled health workers. Concerted effort to ensure that is needed at federal and state levels.

· The Midwifery Service Scheme requires the strategic support of the 36 state governments by adding funds, provision of accommodations of posted midwives and training and also a policy is required to be developed to increase the number of core service providers including Community Health Extension Workers and Midwives, with a focus on deploying more skilled health staff in rural areas.

· Operations research should be an integral part of all health interventions targeting achieving MDG 4 and 5.

Family planning has the potential to reduce 32% of maternal deaths, 10% of newborn, infant and child

deaths. Family planning has the potential to decrease 71% of unwanted pregnancies: eliminating 53 million

unintended pregnancy, 22 million fewer unplanned births, 25 million fewer induced abortion and 7 million

fewer miscarriages. Both at federal and state level services should be reinforce and properly implemented.



MissionThe TY Danjuma Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians by supporting initiatives that improve access to health and educational opportunities. Based in Abuja, Nigeria, the Foundation was established by General TY Danjuma and works with a distinguished Board of Trustees.

VisionBuilding a Nigeria where all citizens have access to quality health care, education and equal opportunities to realize their potentials.

Main Goals· Enhance community health care by providing free medical services to rural communities which

lack adequate medical facilities;· Improve the quality of education of children and young people (18 years and younger);· Alleviate the extreme poverty in communities across the country by providing clean drinking

water, and encouraging the education/empowerment of women.

ValuesThe Foundation will operate with the following core values:

· Informed and responsive grant making· Community involvement· Government participation· Accountability to beneficiaries· Encourages innovation· Promote philanthropy in Nigeria

Focus Areas· Community Health Initiatives· Enhancing Quality of Education· Poverty Alleviation· Poverty Alleviation

How the Foundation worksTY Danjuma Foundation works mainly through Non Governmental Organisations and Community Based groups in Nigeria. Our strategy of working through partnerships is intended to build institutional capacity of groups, supporting innovation and ensuring that the funding provided meets the needs of the target beneficiaries and is culturally relevant. In doing so, the Foundation encourages its grantees to forge collaborations and partnerships with local, state and national government agencies to enhance sustainability of the projects.

The Foundation also seeks collaboration with other grant makers and international agencies working in the target areas. Where necessary, the Foundation will leverage additional funding from other sources to support partners' initiatives.

An important component of the Foundation's work is the dedication to documenting and analysing the projects we fund to assist in strengthening our future grantmaking and assist in influencing policies and practice in the areas we operate.



TY DANJUMAFOUNDATION

...touching lives everyday

Networking and PartnershipsThere are a number of important actors and individuals already active in the areas the Foundation aims to work in. Therefore, collaborative relationships will be forged with key groups of actors:

Civil society: The Foundation will mainly work through Non Governmental Organisations, community based groups, including faith-based organisations, youth and women's groups in Nigeria. Our strategy of working through partnerships is intended to build institutional capacity of groups, supporting innovation and ensuring that the funding provided meets the needs of the target beneficiaries and is culturally relevant. In doing so, the Foundation encourages its grantees to forge collaborations and partnerships with local, state and national government agencies to enhance sustainability of the projects.

Governments: The Foundation is cognizant of that its interventions are the primary responsibility of the government. Thus, the Foundation will not operate in a manner that conveys an impression that its interventions will absolve government of this responsibility. Therefore the Foundation will encourage the organisations it supports to work with governments at all levels, including the state and national assemblies and government agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission and the National Centre for Women's Affairs. The Foundation will also seek to involve government agencies in the assessment of the projects implemented to aims to work with governments in ensuring that the grants provided are utilized for the approved purposes.

Other foundations: The TY Danjuma Foundation will identify and where necessary partner with Foundations that work in similar intervention areas. Efforts will be made to encourage international Foundations to invest and work in Nigeria through “joint funding” initiatives.

The Foundation will also get involved in the national and international philanthropic sector by joining platforms and networks that are committed to advancing philanthropy. For example, the African Grant makers Affinity Group, the Council on Foundations and other such groups. At the national level, the Foundation will pioneer and support efforts to promote philanthropic giving and encourage Nigerians to become more philanthropic.

Private sector: The Foundation will seek collaborations with private sector institutions that use business solutions to solve social problems. For example, collaborations will be forged with organizations with corporate social responsibility initiatives across the country. Public Private partnerships in the funding of large-scale projects will also be sought.

International experts: The Foundation will leverage international expertise to implement projects.





CISLAC

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW:CISLAC is a non-governmental, non-profit legislative advocacy, lobbying, information sharing and research organization. (CISLAC) works towards bridging the gap between the legislature and the electorate; by enhancing lobbying strategies; engagement of bills before their passage into law; manpower development for lawmakers, legislative aides, politicians and the civil society, as well as civic education on the tenets of democracy and human rights. It was integrated as a corporate body (CAC/IT/NO22738) with Nigeria's

thCorporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 28 December 2006.

CISLAC's organizational purpose is twofold. It works to train and enlighten civil society on its role in policymaking, the responsibilities of the legislature, and on existing decrees and issues affecting Nigerians. Alternatively, CISLAC aims to ensure that the legislature at local, state, and federal levels is aware of its relationship within the legislature and with other government bodies, its role in policymaking and oversight, and its responsibility in acting as a voice for the people.

CISLAC's issues of focus include; budget monitoring, transparency, accountability, anti-corruption, human



rights (gender equality, educational equity and improvement, sexuality and reproductive health, children and other vulnerable groups including beggars, pensioners, refugees, and internally displaced persons), trade policy and intervention, security/conflict management, and environment and livelihood. CISLAC's engagement with Federal Ministries, National and State Assemblies, Local Government Administrations, private sector interests, the media, non-government and civil society organisations, and communities across Nigeria has opened a window through which public and policy officials can interact and corroborate.

GOAL“To make legislature accessible and responsive to all”.

VISION“A Nigeria in which citizens are participating in governance; the government is safeguarding the rights and welfare of the people; and non-state actors are providing space for citizens to demand accountability”.

MISSION/PURPOSE“To increase the legislature and CSOs' impact in the legislative process”.

KEY INTERNATIONAL DONORS/PARTNERS

· ACTIONAID International· Advocacy Nigeria· Africa Leadership Forum· Africare Nigeria· Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)· Amnesty International· Article 19· Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) India· Bayelsa Non-governmental Organisations Forum· British Council· Canadian High Commission· Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)· Centre for Advanced Social Science (CASS)· Centre for Democracy and Development(CDD)· Centre for Democratic Research and Training· Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD)· Centre for Legislative Studies in Africa, Abuja· Centre for Public-Private Cooperation (CPPC)· Centre for Research and Documentation (CRD) Kano· Centre for Social Justice (CSJ)· China NGO Network for International Exchanges· CLEEN Foundation· Conflict Security and Development Group (CSDG) of King's College, University of London· Environmental Rights Action (ERA)· Federation of Muslim Women's Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN)· FRIDE (Spain)· Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES)· GRM International Ltd. (UK)· Groupe de Reflexion et d'Action sur les Industries Extractives (GREN)· Heinrich Boll Foundation (HBF)· Human Rights Watch· Institute for Governance Studies (IGS Brac University) Bangladesh



· Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC)· International Press Centre (IPC)· International Republican Institute (IRI)· ITAD (UK)· Justice and Peace Commission· Justice for All (DFID)· Koyenum Immalah Foundation (KIF)· Leads – Nigeria· Media Rights Agenda (MRA)· Nasarawa NGO Network (NANGONET)· National Accountability Group (NAG) – Sierra Leone· National Democratic Institute (NDI)· Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group (NDEBUMOG)· Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)· Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)· Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)· Nigerian Economic Summit Group· NIYEL - Senegal· OXFAM America· OXFAM GB· OXFAM Novib· OXFAM Spain· PACT Nigeria· Pan African Strategic & Policy Research Group (PANAFSTRAG)· Partnership for Justice· Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) · Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC)· Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Niger· REFORMS USAID· Revenue Watch Institute (RWI)· Roseau des Organisations pour la Transparence et l'Analyse Budgetaire (ROTAB)· RTI International· Social Action· Stakeholder Democracy Network· State Accountability and voice Initiative in Nigeria (SAVI)· Support to Reforming Institutions Programme (EU-SRIP)· The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, African Studies, John Hopkins

University, Washington· Transparency International (Nigeria)· TY Danjuma Foundation· United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)· United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC)· United States of America Embassy, Abuja· WACAM-Ghana· West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) (Ghana)· Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARD C) · Women's Aid Collective (WACOL)· Women's Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS/AGENCIES· Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)



· EFCC, Strategy and Re-Orientation Unit (SARU), formerly Fix Nigeria Initiative· Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)· Independent National Electoral Commission· National Commission for Refugees· National Human Rights Commission· National Planning Commission· Nigerian Debt Management Office· Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Secretariat· Nigerian Police· Office of the Special Advisor to the President on Civil Society· Office of the Special Advisor to the President on Millennium Development Goals· Policy Analysis and Research Project (PARP), National Assembly· Technical Unit on Governance & Anti-corruption Reforms (TUGAR)

MEMBERSHIP OF NETWORKS AND COALITIONS · Africa Public Health Rights Alliance 15 Percent Campaign · Budget Transparency Network (BTN)· Coalition for Accountability and Transparency in Extractive Industries, Forestry and Fisheries in

Nigeria (CATEIFFN)· Citizens' Forum for Constitutional Reform (CFCR) · Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA)· Electoral Reform Network (ERN)· Freedom of Information Coalition (FOI)· Gender and Affirmative Action· National Coalition on Affirmative Action (NCAA)· National Procurement Watch Platform (NPWP)· Nigeria Action Network on Small Arms (NANSA)· Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG)· Nigeria Gender Budget Network (NGBN)· Publish What You Pay (PWYP)· Trade Network Initiative (TNI)· Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)· West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) · West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP)· Women In Nigeria (WIN)· Zero Corruption Coalition (ZCC)

PAST/CURRENT LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY AND CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECTS

1. Budget Process by Civil Society for Members of the National and State Assemblies, Abia State: Sept-Nov 2005 (European Union-EU)A training workshop was held in Aba, Abia State for State and National Assembly members with the aim to strengthen the conceptual and comparative skills surrounding budgeting in Nigeria. CISLAC, in conjunction with the European Union, deepened legislative understanding of the budget process in Nigeria and enhanced democratic provisions by providing ways to make room for civil society intervention in budget policy, practices, and oversight.

2. Budget Training for Legislature in Minna, Niger State/Capacity Building on Budget Training for Support Staff of Finance and Appropriations in Kaduna: Nov-Dec 2005 (British Council/Heinrich Boll Foundation-HBF)CISLAC organized training sessions on budget policy in Niger State for the National Assembly

Committees on Appropriations, Finance, and Women Affairs. The workshop chiefly sought to train the support staff of the National Assembly Committees, the individuals who are essentially hired to advise members on policy matters. CISLAC carried out similar interactive sessions in Kaduna State where they provided training and support for legislative aides on budget processes. The project focused on the training of legislative aides to legislators on Finance and Appropriations Committees in Kaduna.

3. National Seminar on the Legislature and Democracy, Abuja: Feb 2006 (Canadian High Commission-CHC)CISLAC facilitated this seminar with the aim to make the National Assembly more assertive, autonomous, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian electorate. Over thirty individuals partook in the seminar, mainly elected representatives, local and international development bodies, and journalists. Participants discussed the roles of the Legislature, its past and current weaknesses, and ways in which it can improve its standing with civil society. As Honourable Uche Onyeagucha remarked, “most legislators came in with forged credentials, manipulated election results, and are ultimately disconnected from the people”. While ordinary Nigerians are removed from accessing the National Assembly and its members, the legislature remains subservient to the personal and power interests of the presidency and his reluctance to partner with civil society. The forum was thus designed to enlighten members on how to operate effectively alongside the executive and remain responsive to the people.

4. Engagement of Stakeholders on the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Bill passed by the National Assembly Lagos/National Stakeholders' Forum on EITI Implementation in Nigeria, Abuja: 2006-2007 (PACT Nigeria & Oxfam GB)CISLAC organised dialogue sessions between Civil Society Organisations and Federal legislators to exchange ideas and concerns regarding the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Bill being passed by the National Assembly. A Civil Society media interactive session was also held to create space between civil society and the legislature on the NEITI Bill. In the same period, CISLAC prepared a National Stakeholders' Forum on EITI implementation in Nigeria to enable stakeholders to brainstorm on issues relating to the implementation of the Act. Participants included CSOs, extractive companies and communities, MDAs, the legislature, and media. The forum outlined challenges and strategies in overcoming obstacles in order to pave way for compliance and effective implementation.

5. Building Civil Society Capacity for Effective Project Management, Gender Mainstreaming and Electoral Reforms through Advocacy and Lobbying of Government – March 2006 to February 2007 The project sought to promote institutional independence of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission through Civil Society advocacy. Some result achieved included: Advocacy at the National and State Assemblies for the promulgation of human rights and people oriented legislation; assisted in mediating and resolving disputes arising within the electoral process; engaged in programmes that will strengthen the legal system and guarantee a free and independent judiciary and other democratic institutions; networked with groups and associations with similar goals and objectives

6. Promoting Civil Society participation & observation towards the 2007 elections – December 2006 to July 2007The project increased transparency of the electoral process leading up to the 2007 elections and increased participation of Nigerians in each stage of the electoral process. It also led to an increased participation of women, ethnic minorities, youths and people with disabilities in all strands of the electoral process.



7. Capacity Building for Nigeria's Legislature on 2008 National Budget, Uyo, Akwa Ibom: Dec 2007 (Canadian International Development Agency-CIDA)The programme was aimed at creating a pool of information that will enhance the input of legislators in the 2008 Appropriation bill with the aim of enabling an efficient and workable budget circle, which will have direct positive consequences on Nigeria's development challenges. The session trained legislators and their support staff on basic rudiments of democracy, highlighting the principles of separation of powers concerning legislative proficiency, budgeting process, gender equity in budgeting, oversight responsibilities, and constituency outreach and relations. Participants reflected on the 2007 Budget implementation and its gaps, and discussed the implementation strategy of the 2008 Budget. CISLAC educated members and their aids on how to be more equipped in exercising oversight functions, and the roles of committees on Appropriations and Finance in budget implementation. The programme also reviewed the process of identifying critical sectors of the economy for greater attention in the appropriation process.

8. Legislative Engagement in Northern Nigeria- Nassarawa, Niger, Jigawa States: Sept 2007-Nov 2009 (Heinrich Boll Foundation-HBF)CISLAC organised multiple interactive sessions for State Legislators, their staff, CSOs, and the media in Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, Plateau, Kogi and Benue States as part of an ongoing capacity building endeavour for State Houses of Assembly in Northern Nigeria. The aim of the workshops is to educate these groups on the role of committees in lawmaking, oversight, and good governance practices. With the prospect of increasing the influence of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria, CISLAC held training sessions for members on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), constitutional provisions of Legislative Committees, and the responsibilities and importance of legislative aides. The workshop also addressed power relations between the legislature and the executive, as most State Assemblies are in the hands of State Chief Executives, which undermines the legislators' powers as an independent branch of government. The sessions are intended to address this problem and find solutions to make the Northern State Legislatures more responsive to their constituents.

9. Capacity Building for Relevant Committees of the National Assembly under the Strengthening the National Assembly Project (SNAP): April 2008 – Oct. 2008 (NDI)This project increased the capacity of NASS MDGs and National Planning Committee staff and the media for better engagement of SNAP focused issues. The programme was designed to improve the level of productivity of National Assembly members including the planning of pro-poor policies, thus increasing the efficiency of the committees they serve. CISLAC with support from NDI further aimed to increase the levels of oversight through statistical information gathering and shadow monitoring of the implementation of MDGs by the Legislative MDGs and National Planning Committees.

10. Civil Society Engagement of Government on Oil Revenue Transparency and Civic Oversight of the NEITI Process, Kaduna: June-Nov. 2008 (PACT Nigeria)The goal of this project was to strengthen the oversight function of legislators on the NEITI Secretariat and extractive industry companies and to build the capacity of at least twenty energy correspondents covering the extractive industries for adequate information dissemination. With assistance from PACT Nigeria, CISLAC also aimed to raise public awareness on NEITI Secretariat activities and other oversight agencies in the implementation of the initiative. Capacity building of legislators, their staff, media outlets, and members of civil society cannot be overemphasized. CISLAC worked with the legislature in Kaduna to increase its role in NEITI oversight and improve the linkage and cooperation among arms of governance, civil society, and the media.

11. Entrenching Legislative Oversight of the State Assemblies towards Achieving the Millennium



Development Goals (MDGs). August – Dec. 2008 (UN Millennium Campaign, Nairobi, Kenya)This project intends to ensure deliberate legislation and budgetary provisions are provided towards the attainment of the MDGs, also to ensure that appropriate oversight functions are exercised by the legislature in that regard.

12. Converting natural resources into development: Interactions and synergies between EITI and national mechanisms. Feb. 2009 – Apr. 2009 (FRIDE)To promote the adoption of improved policies and practices for a reinforced transparency in the extractive industries sector that will favour the culture of accountability and the transformation of revenues for oil, gas and mineral exploitation into human development.

13. Youth Vulnerability and Exclusion in Nigeria (YOVEX). Mar. 2009 – April 2009

(Conflict Security and Development Group (CSDG) of King's College, University of London)

The aim is to disseminate the key findings of the Nigeria case study, share ideas on the way forward, and kick-start constructive engagement between youth and key stakeholders, including government, private sector and civil society groups. Participants will include Ministers of state, parliamentarians, youth groups in Nigeria and civil society organisation, and representatives of international aid and development agencies.

14. Engaging the Legislature and NEITI secretariat to Deepen the Implementation of the NEITI Act. June-Nov. 2009 (PACT Nigeria)The overall goal of this project was to enhance implementation of the NEITI Act in Nigeria. The project also aimed at raising advocacy issues around the NEITI implementation process; strengthening CSOs collaboration with NEITI, National Assembly and agencies on the implementation process; increase the knowledge base of energy/National Assembly correspondents on NEITI Audit process; advocating for adequate funding of NEITI Secretariat; strengthening the oversight function of the legislators on the NEITI process and promoting effective CSOs engagement in the NEITI process

15. Entrenching Legislative Oversight towards Achieving The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). August – Dec. 2008 and April – Sept. 2009 (UN Millennium Campaign, Nairobi, Kenya)This project intends to ensure deliberate legislation and budgetary provisions are provided towards the attainment of the MDGs. Also ensuring that appropriate oversight functions are exercised by the legislature in that regard. It also intends to build capacity of legislators on MDGs and mainstreaming the MDGs, especially maternal health, into Political Parties Agenda in Nigeria

16. Strengthening NEITI Performance. Sept. 2009 – Aug. 2011 (OXFAM NOVIB)The project intends to scale up NEITI compliance through the implementation of activities aimed towards greater information dissemination and capacity building to key legislative committees, NEITI stakeholders, civil society groups, and media outlets. The organization collaborated with the NEITI Secretariat and stayed informed on their activities in order to know where synergic overlap exists for intervention. In line with its public outreach and capacity building objectives, it is also engaging in legislative advocacy geared towards specific reforms, based on a thorough review of the forthcoming 2005 audit report. In addition, CISLAC also extended this to national Parliaments and CSOs in the West African sub-region through advocacy visits with a view to ensuring that Nigeria and other countries with candidate status of EITI in the sub-region meet the validation requirements to attain compliant status.

17. Legislative Capacity Building & Civil Society Dialogue- Benue, Kogi, and Jigawa States: Feb. – Dec.



2010 (Heinrich Boll Foundation-HBF)CISLAC organised multiple interactive sessions for State Legislators, their staff, CSOs, and the media in Niger, Nassarawa, Jigawa, Plateau, Kogi and Benue States as part of an ongoing capacity building endeavour for State Houses of Assembly in Northern Nigeria. The aim of the workshops is to educate these groups on lawmaking, oversight, budget and budget monitoring, public hearing all of which are embodiment of good governance practices.

18. Train-the-Trainer Workshop for Deepening CSOs Participation on Public Procurement Monitoring in Enugu, Kano and Oyo (Ibadan) States – May and June 2010 (Bureau of Public Procurement – BPP)The workshop is to promote accountability, transparency and popular participation in the Nigerian Public Procurement system. Also to train non-state actors to effectively monitor, observe and report procurement processes and to advocate for the enactment of a Public Procurement System, at state, via advocacy efforts. To do this, CISLAC in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has successfully organised the training workshop in Kano, Enugu and Ibadan respectively which had a tremendous turnout.

19. Deepening the State Legislators Role in the Attainment of the MDGS – May – Dec. 2010 (UN Millennium Campaign, Nairobi, Kenya)



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