The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria – Local community involvement is the primary driver of success for education projects in Nigeria’s conflict-affected northeast, according to the advocacy group Connected Development.

During a media briefing Wednesday on transparency and education planning in Borno State, the organization, known as CODE, argued that school initiatives are most effective when local leaders and residents are integrated into the implementation process.

“When local communities are involved, they are more likely to contribute resources, expertise, and support to education initiatives,” said Hyeladzira James Mshelia, acting chief executive of CODE.
Mshelia spoke at an event detailing the State of Transparency and Accountability in Borno State and the Local Education Sector Operational Plans (LESOPs), a program supported by the Malala Fund.

The three-year roadmaps are designed to rebuild schooling infrastructure and systems in areas hit hard by regional instability.

According to CODE, the plans align with the broader State Education Sector Plan for 2022-2030, which aims to decentralize accountability and bring oversight to the grassroots level.

By fostering a sense of ownership among parents and traditional leaders, the NGO contends that projects become better tailored to the specific cultural and logistical challenges of the region.

The program’s current efforts are concentrated in four local government areas within Borno State: Askira/Uba, Gubio, Damboa, and Mafa.

Proponents of the strategy say this level of engagement does more than just secure resources; it creates a system of accountability that directly correlates to improved learning outcomes for students in the region.