25 community champions from Makoda Local Government Area and 25 members of the Nigerian WASH Accountability and Support Network (NEWSAN) have completed an intensive capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening grassroots participation in governance and improving public service delivery in Kano State.
The training was organized by BudgIT Foundation, in collaboration with Self Help Africa and with support from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
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The initiative focused on promoting social and financial accountability, particularly in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
Participants included local leaders, women groups, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and members of the Local Government Task Group on WASH.
They were trained on how to effectively engage government institutions, monitor budgets, and advocate for improved service delivery.
During the sessions, participants also learned strategies to demand transparency in the planning and execution of government projects.
Meanwhile, NEWSAN members received specialized training on social and financial accountability, equipping them with tools to track government expenditure, assess project delivery, and ensure equitable use of WASH funds.
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Speaking on behalf of the organizers, BudgIT State Officer, Maryam Garba Usman, explained that the programme is designed to empower communities with the knowledge and confidence to participate in budget processes.
This, she noted, will enable them to hold government authorities accountable, reduce wastage of resources, and ensure that development projects truly benefit citizens.
At the closing session, facilitator Umar Inuwa emphasized that improved social accountability would strengthen democratic governance, enhance service delivery, reduce corruption, and build trust between citizens and government institutions.
Some community representatives — including Sani Galadima, Sani Muhammad, Sa’adatu Labaran, Ummi Bashir, and Haladu Ado expressed optimism that the training had improved their capacity to advocate for timely and quality implementation of government projects in their communities.
The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the engagement and pledged to continue working with citizens and civil society groups to promote inclusive development across Kano State.