Corruption remains a major concern in Nigeria, alongside issues of non-functional systems and processes. These have led to government projects being neglected for years and different forms of corruption that have prevented citizens from enjoying the benefits of democracy.

To tackle this challenge, Connected Development (CODE) collaborated with Kaduna SUBEB in 2019 to develop the Basic Education Project Nomination/Monitoring System, which is currently in use by the Board. Additionally, we developed the Constituency Project Nomination/Monitoring System, adopted by members representing Kaduna State in the National Assembly in 2021, and the SUBEB Project Dashboard, which was set up by Kaduna SUBEB in 2021. These systems have proven effective in assessing needs across different sectors and ensuring open governance and transparency.

In 2023, CODE expanded this initiative through the “The Deepening and Institutionalizing Accountability, Social Inclusion Systems, and Processes to Promote Resilience and Sustainability in Governance across Nigeria” project, also known as ProjectTrust (#ProjectTrustNG). The project mobilises Civil Society Organizations, Community-Based Organizations, Media, and organisations focused on Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)to form a Community of Practice (CoP) within a state per zone, to enhance social accountability processes/systems and demand transparency in their respective states. The CoPs are advocating for the institutionalisation, adaptation, and utilisation of the systems that CODE has built in Kaduna since 2017. The states involved are Anambra, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Kwara, Osun, and Yobe.

Additionally, CODE developed a tool called NomTrac to serve as a needs assessment platform and bridge the gap between citizens and government stakeholders. The tool ensures that citizens can nominate projects reflecting the needs of their communities, with input from community, women, and youth leaders, including Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). It also allows citizens to monitor nominated projects and federal and state budgets, making it easier for citizens to participate in the governance process and promote open governance. Through the project, CoPs will be tracking the adoption and implementation of the Disability Act 2018.