Boosting Localization by Capacity Building in Information Management in Nigeria

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iMMAP Inc. Nigeria's Capacity-Building Success: A Trainee-Turned-Trainer and His Mentor Share Their Perspectives

In 2018, iMMAP Inc. initiated the information management (IM) capacity-building program to strengthen local capacities in data and IM innovations across Nigeria. This initiative was led by Richard Sennoga, who had left the Nigeria program in 2019 and rejoined recently as a program manager. Before his departure, Richard facilitated five rounds of the capacity-building program. Sulaiman Badamasi was among the participants in the fifth round.

Photo: Sulaiman Badamasi leads a capacity-building session for participants in the University of Maiduguri ICT Center in Nigeria. ©iMMAP Inc. 2023 

In 2016, Mr. Badamasi attempted to become an IM officer at iMMAP Inc. but was unsuccessful, unaware that one day he would lead the very capacity-building unit once managed by an international consultant in Nigeria. Reflecting on his journey, Sulaiman said, "It was after my interview with iMMAP Inc. in 2016 that the hiring team identified a gap in geographic information systems (GIS) in my skillset and encouraged me to strengthen my skill in this area, and I took some courses in GIS."

For the past fourteen years, the northeast region of Nigeria, particularly Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, has faced unprecedented hardship due to prolonged conflicts, insecurity, and disease outbreaks. This crisis displaced millions, including Sulaiman and his family, originally from Yobe State. "In 2011, my family relocated from Yobe State to settle in Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Jigawa states due to the insurgency. I lost close friends and acquaintances. My cousin was killed by insurgents when they attempted to take over Damaturu, Yobe state capital, on the 4th of November 2011," Sulaiman recounted.

With a master's degree in health information management systems and a bachelor's degree in computer science, Sulaiman's determination and various learning experiences boosted his skills, leading to his employment with iMMAP Inc. as a Capacity Building Officer in 2020.

It was after I attended the insightful training facilitated by Richard Sennoga that I learned how to apply my IM skills to humanitarian situations."

Photo: A group photo of graduates from the iMMAP Inc. capacity-building program in Nigeria. ©iMMAP Inc. 2023

Sulaiman's career at iMMAP Inc. progressed rapidly. He now leads the Capacity Building Unit, overseeing various development events across the BAY states and facilitating both basic and thematic training sessions in person and remotely. He trained partners across sectors, including UN and humanitarian agencies, government institutions, and academia. Sulaiman was also instrumental in developing the Learning Management System launched by iMMAP Inc. Nigeria in 2023 to optimize training initiatives.

Alhaji Ma'aji Umar Mustapha, the Borno State Data Center Manager, praised Sulaiman's leadership: "Sulaiman has been with us at the Data Management Center of the Agency for Coordination of Sustainable Development and Humanitarian Response in Borno State, Nigeria. I would rate Sulaiman's leadership as eight over ten. He is very friendly and makes complex IM concepts easy to understand, both in communication and practical training sessions."

Following active engagement with academic partners including the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), with whom we foster mutually beneficial learning opportunities through a memorandum of understanding, Dr. Abdulkadir Hamidu Alkali, the director of UNIMAID's Computer Center and Information and Communication Technologies, acknowledged Sulaiman's expertise:

I have worked with Sulaiman for over three years now. He ensures all capacity-building participants and partners are carried along. He combines subject knowledge and experience to deliver impactful training sessions."

Three years after joining iMMAP Inc., Sulaiman leads the capacity-building program in Nigeria, underscoring iMMAP Inc.'s commitment to driving response localization by empowering the local workforce across the BAY states. This achievement is thanks to the financial support of the American people through the USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance.

Photo: Sulaiman Badamasi leads a capacity-building session for participants in the University of Maiduguri ICT Center in Nigeria. ©iMMAP Inc. 2023 

We also interviewed Richard Sennoga, who shared insights from his tenure as the capacity-building lead and his thoughts on Sulaiman Badamasi now leading the program. 

Photo: Richard Sennoga facilitates training for participants under the iMMAP Inc. capacity-building program in Nigeria. ©iMMAP Inc.

Can you tell us when you first joined iMMAP Inc. and your time leading the IM capacity-building program?

Richard: I began working with iMMAP Inc. in 2016 through the standby partnership program. My first assignment was with OCHA's Information Management Unit (IMU) in Khartoum, Sudan. After completing the six-month deployment, I was sent to the OCHA IMU in Erbil, Iraq, then to UNICEF as an Education Sector IM officer in Maiduguri, and later as IM capacity building lead with iMMAP Inc. in Abuja, Nigeria. We assessed IM capacity-building needs across the BAY states and prepared a training package for humanitarian partners. Sulaiman Badamasi was one of 31 participants in our fifth training round, held in Maiduguri from 18-22 March 2019. He was nominated through the Education Sector and was a monitoring and evaluation officer with the International Rescue Committee.

What is the overarching goal of the capacity-building program?

Richard: iMMAP Inc.'s IM capacity-building program began in January 2018 to enhance the technical capacity of humanitarian partners, empowering them to utilize data and information effectively for evidence-based planning in humanitarian action.

How does iMMAP Inc.'s IM Capacity Building program improve the coordination of interventions across the BAY states?

Richard: Information is the foundation for effective coordination. Timely and reliable data directly impact coordination quality in humanitarian settings. In the crisis-affected BAY states of northeast Nigeria, effective coordination backed by quality data on partners' operational presence, needs severity, demographic characteristics, and population movement trends is crucial for common situational understanding. The capacity-building program closes IM capacity gaps, ensuring local humanitarian partners can use limited resources optimally. With the right data and IM skills, partners can make informed decisions, plan interventions, and prioritize needs effectively.

How critical is iMMAP Inc.'s capacity building to promoting response localization?

Richard: The story of Sulaiman's appointment as iMMAP Inc. Nigeria's capacity-building lead illustrates how developing local capacity improves results by increasing local ownership and sustainability. Through this program, iMMAP Inc. creates conditions for full involvement of the indigenes. Although initially implemented by international personnel, Sulaiman, a native of Yobe State, has proven the program's sustainability. Under his leadership, the program has been enhanced with new technological innovations, benefiting humanitarian partners by building their skills and capacities to utilize information effectively for saving lives and reducing the suffering of crisis-affected people.

What thematic goal of the training program is being actualized with Sulaiman as the lead?

Richard: Local capacity development is a key theme iMMAP Inc. is actualizing. Building and strengthening the national workforce's capacity is challenging but essential for any strategy in planning and responding to crises. It balances rapid, effective response and long-term impact and empowerment. The Internship Program, supervised by Sulaiman, enrolls fresh graduates from the BAY states to learn as they work, building local expertise that reinforces ongoing action and proactively challenges the status quo by assessing risks and implementing measures to mitigate crises' impact.

Can you guess how many participants have been trained so far?

Richard: As of September 2019, 397 humanitarian partners had benefited from iMMAP Inc.'s IM and training of trainers (TOT) activities. With the online learning management system (LMS), over 1800 partners have been reached with capacity-building services as of May 2024. Sulaiman's pursuit of that key role is a success story from a local capacity development and sustainability standpoint. Working with the local population has vast merits compared to working for them. Building and strengthening local capacity encourages nationals to act on local issues, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment.

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