Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy and Development (LEAD)

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LEAD activity planning workshop
LEAD activity planning workshop.

LEAD is USAID/Nigeria’s flagship Peace and Democratic Governance project being implemented in the focus States of Bauchi and Sokoto.  It builds partnerships between state and local governments, civil society, and the private sector to improve governance, accountability, and service delivery. 

The project is designed to address many of the roadblocks to strengthening democracy in Nigeria, where the elite are still entrenched in representational politics, excluding the majority of citizens from meaningful participation.  Under the Nigerian constitution, it is the role of state and local government to deliver basic services to citizens, including education, health care, and the provision of infrastructure.  Neither local or state governments are  equipped or prepared to carry out these roles, and citizens lack the capacity to articulate their needs or hold government accountable.   

LEAD Strategy:

Through LEAD, USAID/Nigeria is building the capacity of local government councilors and chairmen, permanent staff, selected state government authorities, and civil society organizations to help ensure effective governance and improved delivery of basic services. These stakeholders are empowered to assume greater roles in addressing the demands of their constituents while simultaneously promoting democratic local governance.  The project also promotes transparency of local government operations by emphasizing the establishment of organizational structures and procedures; local funding mechanisms, budgets, and accounting and financial management systems; and devolved authority for local decision-making and service delivery.  Emphasis is also placed on enhancing local government’s capacity to carry out legislative and oversight responsibilities related to service delivery and other government activities, and establishing regularized mechanisms for citizen participation in the governmental decision-making processes for greater transparency in the use of resources.

Program Snapshot:

  • Project Name: Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy and Development (LEAD)
  • Life of Project: 2009 – 2014
  • Funding: $40,000,000
  • Implementing Partner: Research Triangle Institute
  • Geographic Focus: Sokoto and Bauchi States
     

Expected Results:

  • Improved performance of sub-national government entities receiving USG assistance
  • Increased local mechanisms for citizen engagement supported with USG assistance
  • Increased in recipients of USG assisted trainings, including skills in fiscal management strengthening local government