… Aliagan leads independent assessment team to scrutinise public service delivery, project implementation
By Rashidat Okunlade | Lagos
The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) has deployed a delegation of seasoned investigative reporters to Gombe State for a five-day Governance Assessment Visit (GAV), beginning November 9, 2026.
The exercise, led by NGIJ President Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, forms part of the Guild’s sustained commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and evidence-based assessment of governance across Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the National Secretary, Mr. Rowland Olonishuwa, the Guild said the visit is designed to undertake an independent, comprehensive, and evidence-driven examination of governance performance in the state.
“The visit is designed to undertake an independent, comprehensive and evidence-driven examination of governance performance in Gombe State, with particular attention to public service delivery, implementation of government policies and projects, institutional effectiveness and the overall impact of governance on the lives of citizens,” the statement read.
Critical Sectors Under Scrutiny
The NGIJ delegation is expected to engage relevant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), government officials, development institutions, civil society organisations, community leaders, and residents to obtain first-hand information on the state’s development trajectory.
The assessment will cover critical sectors, including: Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Economic development, Employment generation, Environmental sustainability, Security, Local government administration, Transparency and accountability.
The investigative team will also examine government interventions in grassroots development, access to essential social services, rural infrastructure, human capital development, and the effectiveness of public institutions in responding to citizens’ needs.
“Particular attention will be given to the relationship between government policies, budgetary provisions, project implementation and measurable outcomes, with a view to determining how public resources are translated into tangible development benefits,” the statement added.
‘Not to Condemn or Endorse’
Speaking ahead of the exercise, NGIJ President Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan described the Governance Assessment Visit as one of the Guild’s most important institutional mechanisms for strengthening democratic accountability.
He emphasised that the Gombe assignment was not designed to condemn the government or endorse political narratives, but to provide an independent assessment through verifiable facts and citizens’ experiences.
“Our mission in Gombe is to look beyond official pronouncements and political narratives to establish what is actually happening across critical sectors of governance. We want to understand the policies being implemented, examine the projects being executed, assess the quality of public service delivery and determine how these interventions are affecting ordinary citizens,” Aliagan said.
“Governance assessment is not about looking for faults or celebrating government. It is about establishing facts, identifying progress, interrogating gaps and providing citizens with credible information about how their state is being governed.”
“Where government has performed well, we will acknowledge and document such achievements. Where there are gaps, implementation challenges or unmet expectations, we will equally bring them to public attention based on verifiable evidence. Our commitment is to truth, fairness, professionalism and the public interest,” he added.
A Track Record of Accountability
The Gombe assignment represents another phase in NGIJ’s expanding national governance accountability programme, which has seen the Guild undertake similar assessment exercises in Kogi, Bayelsa, Ondo, Kwara, Osun, and Kaduna states.
These exercises have provided opportunities for investigative journalists to examine government policies, assess public expenditure, investigate the implementation of development projects, and document citizens’ experiences with public service delivery.
The Kaduna assessment, for instance, adopted a documentary and evidence-based approach in examining workers’ welfare and minimum wage implementation, drawing on relevant government and labour records.
Call for Cooperation
Aliagan reiterated that the Guild would maintain its independence throughout the exercise, explaining that its relationship with government institutions would be guided by professionalism, mutual respect, and the overriding responsibility to the Nigerian public.
“Our responsibility as investigative journalists is to the truth and the people. We are not coming to Gombe as political opponents of the government, neither are we coming as its promoters. We are coming as professionals committed to finding facts, documenting evidence and strengthening public accountability,” he said.
He called on the Gombe State Government, heads of ministries and agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, professional bodies, and residents to cooperate with the visiting journalists by providing relevant information and facilitating access to verifiable records and project locations.
At the conclusion of the exercise, the Guild is expected to consolidate its findings into a comprehensive governance assessment report, highlighting documented achievements, institutional strengths, implementation challenges, and areas requiring policy attention.
Why It Matters
In a democratic landscape where political rhetoric often drowns out factual reality, the NGIJ’s Governance Assessment Visit represents a vital intervention.
Gombe State, known as the “Jewel in the Savannah,” occupies a critical position in Nigeria’s North-East development landscape. With its agricultural potential and strategic location, it provides a compelling case study for examining the relationship between public policy and socio-economic welfare.
The NGIJ’s methodology which relies on engaging with MDAs, civil society, and everyday residents is key. By moving beyond official press releases and looking at actual project sites, budget implementation, and public service delivery, the Guild is applying the true principles of investigative journalism.
Furthermore, the Guild’s explicit declaration that it is neither an opponent nor a promoter of the government is crucial. In an era where journalism is frequently accused of partisanship, this stance of objective, evidence-based scrutiny is exactly what is needed to build public trust. If the NGIJ can successfully translate its findings into an actionable report, it will not only hold the Gombe State government accountable but also provide a template for how the media can constructively contribute to governance and institutional improvement across Nigeria.
© ROTAMEDIANEWS Digital Newspaper & BusinessEcho Magazine By ROTA Media Concepts
For advert placement, news tips and subscription enquiries, contact the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Rashidat Olushola Okunlade.
rotamedianews@gmail.com businessechomag@gmail.com
