New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) is implementing a USAID Funded State2State Project in three LGAs namely: Ibesikpo, Oron and Uyo of Akwa Ibom State. The project which commenced in January 2022 has the goal to improve internally generated revenue for Akwa Ibom state and 3 local government areas of Ibesikpo Asutan, Oron and Uyo.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Facilitate the establishment of a multi-stakeholder forum for improved IGR in 3 LGAs of Akwa Ibom State
- Stimulate dialogue, exchange of ideas and networking between the private and public sectors in 3 LGAs of Akwa Ibom for increased internally generated revenue
- Facilitate the development of a strategy document for raising IGR in the state and local government areas
To achieve the goal and objectives of the state2state project the activities lined up being implemented are as follows: capacity building trainings for project staff, identification, mobilization and engagement of stakeholders, advocacy visits and workshops, multi-stakeholders dialogue meetings/sessions etc.
ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT SO FAR
Training of Project Officers and other Support Staff.
New Nigeria Foundation (NNF) in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) is implementing a USAID Funded State2State Project in three LGAs of Akwa Ibom State. As part of the key-off activities, series of trainings were held in January 2022 for Project Officers and Support Staff on project M&E and Advocacy. The aim was to build the capacities of project team for effective and efficient implementation of the project. These trainings were held between January 12th and 24th, 2022. A total of eight ARRDEC staff (4 females and 4 males) participated in the M&E training while twelve ARRDEC/NNF staff (5 females, 7 males) participated in the Advocacy training.
Introduction of S2S Grantees’ Partners to Local Government Council Executives

The State2State (S2S) Team led by the S2S Local Government Coordinator, Dr. Iboro Nelson, visited Oron, Uyo and Ibesikpo LGAs for introduction of S2S project and partners to the Local Government chairmen. The visits happened between 01 and 09 February 2022. On the USAID funded State2state project, New Nigeria FoundationNew Nigeria Foundation (NNF) in partnership with Antof Rural Resource Development Centre (ARRDEC) is working to establish a Multi-stakeholder Forum for Improved Internally Generated Revenue in three Local Government councils of Ibesikpo Asutan, Uyo and Oron in Akwa Ibom State.
In response to the visiting team, Hon Ubokulo, the Executive Chairman of Oron LGA welcomed and thanked the USAID representative and her team immensely for the kind gesture and promised to offer the necessary cooperation to ensure that the S2S project was successfully implemented in Oron LGA. In his own response, Hon. Dr. Usemedimo Udoh, the Executive Chairman of Uyo LGA, thanked the team for the visit and pledge his support to the project in achieving its aims and objectives. A total of twenty one persons (13 males and 8 females) were in attendance in the meetings across the three LGAs.
A multi-stakeholder forum and first joint session of stakeholders:
On February 22nd 2022, a multi-Stakeholder Forum was inaugurated at De Castle Hotel Annex, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. This is among several activities being implemented by New Nigeria Foundation in partnership with ARRDEC on the on-going USAID funded State2state project in Ibesikpo, Uyo and Oron Local Government Councils of Akwa Ibom State. The forum deliberated on the issues that needed to be addressed at the State and LGA levels for improved internally generated Revenue. The forum attracted lots of stakeholders from both private and public sector.

Some key highlights at the event included: a key note address presented by Prof. Akpan Ekpo, a Professor of Economics, who has served in various international and national positions and a former Vice-Chancellor at the University of Uyo; overview of S2S project was given by NNF Deputy Director, Mrs. Olayide Adesanya and group discussion on issues militating against internally generated revenue in the State.
A total of sixty (60) persons (40 males, 20 females) including NNF and ARRDEC staff attended the Forum.
BUDGET ANALYSIS WORKSHOP
A budget analysis workshop was conducted for S2S grantees and the media on February 17, 2022 at De Castle Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The workshop was conducted to analyze the approved Akwa Ibom State 2022 budget, thereby, furnishing the participants with budget information to advocate and execute assigned tasks.
Mr. Edward Nnakee, a PFM Specialist for S2S undertook the whole budget analysis through seven (7) sessions which included; (i) Highlights of 2022 Proposed Budget;(ii) Proposed Budget versus Approved Budget, (iii) Revenue Profile for 2022 Fiscal Year, (iv) Expenditure Profile for 2022 Fiscal Year, (v) Sector Allocations, (vi) Allocations to Priority Sectors and (vii) Policy Priorities versus Resource Allocation.
Mr. Edward thereafter, analyzed the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of 2021 to be poor at 74.11% achieved as rated by PEFA standard which states that IGR should be 15% deviation from the actual.He also highlighted the proposed budget for 2022 to be 582.115 billion naira while the approved budget by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to be 586.9 billion naira.

