By Nnasom David

Veriv Africa, a research and advisory company, is proud to announce the release of its flagship publication: The Veriv Africa NYFF Local Governance Assessment Report: Kaduna Pilot Project.

This groundbreaking report, launched in partnership with the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) through an awarded grant, marks a significant step toward reforming grassroots governance in Nigeria.

As part of Veriv Africa’s Local Governance Strengthening Initiative, this pilot project focused on five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Kaduna State – Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, and Zaria. With support from the NYFF, Veriv Africa conducted a rigorous, mixed-methods assessment to identify governance gaps and recommend policy reforms in agriculture, healthcare, education, vocational services, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

The report arrives at a crucial moment following the landmark 2024 Supreme Court judgement that upheld local government autonomy in Nigeria. It offers vital, evidence-based insights into the realities of service delivery and development at the local level – insights that can help prepare Kaduna and other Nigerian states for a more accountable, transparent, and community-driven future.

The assessment revealed that the education sector in Kaduna State suffers from chronic underfunding, with over 90% of respondents reporting inadequate learning materials. In the healthcare sector, despite the physical presence of Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), service delivery is hampered by inadequate infrastructure and staffing.

Over 59% of respondents reported the absence of doctors or nurses in their local PHCs, raising serious concerns about access to quality care. Agriculture remains the backbone of local livelihoods, yet it is constrained by insecurity, poor access to inputs, inadequate extension services, and weak market systems. Farmers continue to face barriers with many citing government interventions as inaccessible or ineffective. In WASH, residents of Kaduna’s LGAs face widespread water shortages and poor sanitation.

Over 93% of respondents experienced water scarcity in the previous three months, and nearly a quarter of the population lacks access to functional toilet facilities, contributing to poor public health outcomes.

Through this NYFF-supported initiative, Veriv Africa aims to equip local governments and civil society with data to strengthen service delivery, empower youth and communities to hold decision-makers accountable, and demonstrate a scalable model for governance reform across Nigeria’s 774 LGAs.

“Improving governance begins at the grassroots,” said Omotayo Faro, Managing Director at Veriv Africa. “With NYFF’s support, we are proud to champion data-driven, youth-led solutions that put communities at the center of development.”

This report is a first step in a broader national effort to promote effective local governance, and Veriv Africa invites policymakers, development partners, and civil society actors to engage with the findings and collaborate on scalable reforms.