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The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has taken a major step toward deepening fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria’s public finance system with the formal opening of its External Validation Workshop for the Draft Strategic Plan (2025–2028) held on Thursday, November 13, 2025, in Abuja.

The event, which brought together a wide array of stakeholders from across the federation, served as a critical platform for evaluating, refining, and strengthening the Commission’s strategic framework for the next four years.

Delivering the welcome remarks on behalf of the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Victor Muruako, Esq., who is currently participating in the ongoing International Bar Association Conference in Canada, Dr. Chris Uwadoka, the Chairman’s Special Adviser, set the tone for the day’s deliberations.

In his address, Dr. Uwadoka expressed deep appreciation to the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, International IDEA, and the European Union (EU) for their sustained partnership and support throughout the development of the Commission’s draft strategic plan. He described their collaboration as “a clear demonstration of shared commitment to building a transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible Nigeria.”

“This workshop is not merely a procedural step; it is a strategic milestone,” Dr. Uwadoka said. “Today, we subject our draft vision, mission, strategic pillars, and performance framework to rigorous external scrutiny. We do this not out of obligation, but out of conviction that a robust, inclusive, and validated strategy is the bedrock of sustainable institutional impact.”

The Special Adviser noted that the strategic plan represents the Commission’s renewed drive to institutionalize best practices in fiscal governance, align its operations with global standards, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in achieving fiscal sustainability.

He commended the participants drawn from key government institutions, including Commissioners of Finance from Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, and Plateau States, as well as heads and representatives of Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and members of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), for their active engagement in the process. “Your presence here is a testament to the collective resolve to strengthen fiscal governance and curb corruption through disciplined resource management,” he stated. “To those who travelled from across the country to be part of this process, we say thank you for your commitment.”

Dr. Uwadoka urged participants to use the platform to offer constructive feedback, challenge assumptions with evidence, and collectively shape a practical and forward-looking strategy for the Commission. “As we engage in plenary discussions, breakout sessions, and stakeholder commitments, I urge us all to speak with candour, challenge with evidence, and commit with sincerity,” he emphasized. “Let this be a day of alignment—not just of words, but of wills.”

The workshop, organized with the support of RoLAC Phase II, provided a space for broad-based consultation with experts and partners from across Nigeria’s fiscal ecosystem. Discussions focused on validating the Commission’s vision and mission statements, refining its strategic pillars, and confirming measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will guide implementation between 2025 and 2028.

The validation process is designed to ensure that the FRC’s strategic plan reflects the views, realities, and expectations of a wide range of stakeholders—including government agencies, development partners, civil society, and the private sector—thus fostering inclusiveness and ownership.

The event also featured goodwill messages from distinguished personalities and partners. Notable among them were Prof. Uba Nnabue, Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri, Prof. Philip, Bar. Willie Amadi, and Mr. Bassey Abia from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). A representative from the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) also delivered remarks, commending the Commission for its consultative approach and commitment to fiscal reforms that strengthen public accountability.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Patience Inyang, the Project Assistant for the Anti-Corruption Component of RoLAC, formally declared the workshop open on behalf of Dr. Emmanuel Uche, the Programme Manager of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, who was unavoidably absent due to an official engagement in Lagos.

Ms. Inyang noted that the European Union–funded RoLAC II programme, implemented by International IDEA, is proud to partner with the FRC in advancing institutional reforms that promote transparency, fiscal prudence, and public trust. She emphasized that the validation exercise reflects a shared goal between the EU, RoLAC, and the FRC to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal responsibility framework in line with international standards.

The workshop sessions, which included expert presentations, group discussions, and plenary reviews, focused on aligning the Commission’s proposed goals with national development priorities, identifying gaps, and ensuring measurable outcomes that will enhance the FRC’s impact across all tiers of government.

Participants also explored strategies for improving public financial management, monitoring and evaluation systems, and citizen participation in fiscal governance—key pillars in the fight against corruption and fiscal indiscipline.

As the workshop progressed, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the FRC’s strategic plan serves as a living document—dynamic, measurable, and responsive to Nigeria’s evolving fiscal landscape.

In closing, Dr. Uwadoka thanked all participants for their contributions, expressing optimism that the validated strategic plan would not only strengthen the Commission’s operational efficiency but also contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic stability and sustainable development. “Let us begin the work of validation with focus, mutual respect, and a shared vision for a fiscally responsible Nigeria,” he concluded. “Together, we can build an economy rooted in integrity, prudence, and justice for all.”

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission’s new Strategic Plan (2025–2028) is expected to serve as a roadmap for fiscal reform and institutional strengthening, reinforcing the Commission’s mandate to promote transparency, accountability, and efficient management of public resources in Nigeria.

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