At Verbatim Virtual Solutions, one of our core capabilities is applying knowledge management methodologies to embed the sustainability of development results. Our work enables clients to strengthen institutional memory, improve decision-making, and promote continuous performance improvement. Among our most effective approaches is structured peer learning—an evidence-based method for facilitating collaborative problem-solving and scaling best practices across multi-stakeholder systems.

In 2023, Verbatim was contracted as the Peer Learning Implementation Partner for the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme which is funded through a $750 million World Bank loan. NG-CARES is a Programme-for-Results (PforR) operation implemented by the Government of Nigeria across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. NG-CARES delivered social protection, food security, and economic recovery support to the poorest Nigerians, especially those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme reached over 15 million Nigerians with social transfers, labor-intensive public works, livelihood grants, access to basic services, agricultural inputs, climate-smart infrastructure, and support to micro and small enterprises.

For a nation-wide program like the NG-CARES program, that is run differently in each state and tailored to local needs, it was especially important for states to regularly share what’s working and what’s not. This helps everyone stay aligned, avoid repeating mistakes, and build on successful strategies over time.

In collaboration with the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Secretariat, Verbatim Virtual Solutions provided technical oversight and leadership for the Peer Learning and Experience Sharing component of NG-CARES from October 2023 to November 2024. Our methodology combined adaptive learning principles with rigorous knowledge management techniques and was grounded in disbursement linked performance data analysis, stakeholder interviews, and structured learning event design.

We began with a baseline assessment and the development of a Peer Learning and Experience Sharing intervention plan. This was followed by:

• The creation of a Virtual Peer Learning Community for continuous cross-state engagement
• The convening of learning workshops where state teams exchanged implementation experiences, analyzed challenges, and identified practical solutions
• The production of a Learning Cases Document based on analysis of state performance against the 11 Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) of the program
• The development of an NGF “Setting the Tone” guideline to frame and guide zonal and national peer learning sessions
• Design and facilitation of panel discussions, breakout groups, and state-led presentations organized by Result Areas.

In October 2024, Verbatim provided technical assistance to host six Zonal Peer Learning and Experience Sharing Events, convening teams from all the 36 Nigerian states. Each zonal event provided a platform for states to share implementation experiences across Result Areas—Social Protection, Food Security, and Support to Micro and Small Enterprises. These sessions enabled peer-to-peer exchange of strategies, challenges, and lessons learned, helping states adapt and improve performance.

The insights gathered from these zonal events directly informed the National Peer Learning and Stakeholder Consultative Meeting held in Abuja in November 2024. The national event brought together Commissioners of Finance, Heads of State Coordinating Units, Delivery Platform leads, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning representatives, and World Bank specialists. Verbatim designed the structure and content of the national event to surface actionable lessons that would shape the design and execution of NG-CARES Phase II.

Verbatim’s analytical work highlighted five core lessons for sustainability:

• Enhance Technical Responsiveness and Local Adaptation: Flexible data systems, localized verification, and context-sensitive delivery mechanisms improve program reach and targeting of beneficiaries.
• Strengthen Operational and Field Staff Support: Welfare, tools, logistics and training are essential for frontline implementers, particularly in resource-scarce settings.
• Mitigate Political Interference for Program Integrity: Proactively engage political stakeholders early, using advocacy, data, and strategic framing to align program goals with political interests. Establish collaborative mechanisms, and continuous sensitization to uphold transparency and secure sustained authorizing support.
• Promote Community Ownership and Sustainability: Early engagement, beneficiary inclusion in procurement, and user-fee models contribute to long-term results.
• Secure Financial Stability and Timely Disbursement: Adaptive budgeting, savvy political engagement, and robust M&E help timely funds releases to improve continuity and effectiveness.

By enabling the structured exchange of state-level experiences, Verbatim helped stakeholders convert performance data and field challenges into knowledge that can be documented, scaled and institutionalized. Our work reinforced NG-CARES’ technical foundation and increased the program’s capacity for successful delivery.

The result? As a testament to the program’s success—and the quality of coordination under NGF’s leadership—the Government of Nigeria secured an additional $500 million in financing for NG-CARES 2.0 to continue to build household and community resilience. The additional financing will strengthen the program’s extensive reach and positive impact, underscoring the need for continued support in the face of economic hardships, including those from the 2023 fuel subsidy reforms and foreign exchange rate unification.

At Verbatim Virtual Solutions, we are proud to have delivered consulting services that met the highest standards of technical rigor and stakeholder collaboration. Our engagement demonstrates our ability to design and execute large-scale, multi-stakeholder knowledge systems that make national programs more effective, inclusive, and sustainable.