After ten years, the On Nigeria Program has concluded, leaving a stronger civil society, media, and justice sector, as well as an ecosystem of accountability that continues to progress. Over its lifetime, the program awarded 340 grants to 135 primarily Nigerian organizations, totaling $154 million, with the aim of strengthening accountability, enhancing responsiveness, and shifting norms around transparency, participation, and governance. An evaluation by Itad highlights key lessons and insights from the decade-long initiative, offering guidance for future anti-corruption efforts.
The program’s approach was as impactful as the grants themselves. Working collaboratively, locally, and adaptively allowed On Nigeria to amplify its influence. Cohort-based strategies fostered trust, learning, and collective action among grantees, with the four cohorts—Media and Journalism, Advocacy and Accountability, Criminal Justice Reform, and Behavior Change—reinforcing one another. This collaborative structure proved especially valuable in a context of limited funding, demonstrating that relationship-building and coordinated strategy can significantly enhance program impact.
Gender equity and social inclusion became an increasing focus over the program’s lifespan, particularly regarding women’s participation and disability inclusion in anti-corruption work. However, not all grantees were able to adopt these principles uniformly, suggesting that future programs should explicitly integrate values like GESI from the start and allocate adequate resources to support learning and implementation in diverse local contexts.
On Nigeria emphasized locally grounded strategies to reflect the country’s federal structure and vast diversity. By investing in state- and local-level initiatives, the program strengthened the accountability ecosystem through place-based approaches. Media grantees produced content in local languages, while advocacy groups used investigative reporting to mobilize communities and influence policy outcomes, demonstrating the tangible effects of connecting anti-corruption work to citizens’ everyday experiences.
The program’s success was further supported by distributed teams across Abuja and Chicago, alongside guidance from Nigerian external advisors spanning government, civil society, academia, and the private sector. Use of intermediaries enabled funding to reach organizations and regions that might otherwise have been inaccessible, fostering technical capacity and local ownership. Relationship-based, place-focused work proved essential, with strong staff engagement and funding for travel and meetings reinforcing the effectiveness of these strategies.
On Nigeria also learned the importance of balancing local focus with transnational engagement. While most collaborations were national, selective cross-border initiatives could have addressed illicit financial flows and expanded program influence. Partnerships with foundations and bilateral donors amplified reach and resources, although the program recognized that further exploration of new partners, including the private sector, might have extended impact even further.
Ultimately, On Nigeria demonstrates the value of locally led, systemic, and place-based approaches to accountability and anti-corruption. The decade-long initiative highlighted effective grantmaking practices, the benefits of collaborative cohorts, and the significance of sustained partnerships. While challenges remain in strengthening Nigeria’s accountability ecosystem, the achievements of On Nigeria reflect the dedication, resilience, and creativity of its 135 grantee partners and provide a blueprint for future efforts both in Nigeria and beyond.
