By Ema Ochinyabo
Coordinating the 
data collection process for the Collaboration Hub evaluation across Lagos and Kaduna was both a complex and rewarding experience. The programme, led by Girl Effect and Good Business, brings together diverse projects: Tailors as Agents of Change, Mothers & Daughters TV Show (Recipe for Success), SWAG Campus Theatre, and Blazing Boots Comic to shift gender norms through creative and community-driven approaches. As the lead evaluation coordinator, I was responsible for ensuring that every element of the fieldwork- tool design, recruitment, training, logistics, and partner engagement came together seamlessly to deliver credible insights.
Preparing for Fieldwork
The preparation stage was intensive. Together with Girl Effect, Good Business, and project partners, we co-created the data collection tools to capture not only the key components of the Collaboration Hub but also the contextual realities of each intervention. This collaborative design ensured that the instruments reflected the nuances of different respondent categories from adolescents and mothers to tailors, influencers, and media representatives.
Equally important was the recruitment of the research team. Given the sensitive nature of the projects and their focus on gender norms, we deliberately assembled a team of 20 data collectors; 16 women and 4 men. This balance was strategic, ensuring both credibility and comfort during data collection, particularly in conservative or gender-sensitive spaces. Before deployment, the team participated in a two-day training that covered the evaluation overview, research methodology, dimensions of data quality, safeguarding, ethics, use of electronic data collection tools, and photography. A pilot test followed, allowing us to refine the tools and ensure readiness.
Managing Challenges in the Field
Despite the careful planning, field realities brought their own challenges. In both Lagos and Kaduna, a few research assistants had to withdraw due to ill health or security concerns. This disrupted early schedules, but fortunately, we had a standby pool of trained data collectors who stepped in to fill the gaps. Another recurring challenge was mobilization. While some partners struggled to convene respondents, others were so efficient that, in one case, 11 focus group discussions were scheduled in a single day. This highlighted the importance of working closely with mobilizers, communicating clear requirements, and staggering sessions to reduce waiting time for participants and pressure on the team.
Terrain and security also presented difficulties, particularly in remote or high-risk areas. We mitigated this by traveling in groups, working with mobilizers for real-time safety updates, and selecting interview venues that were private, safe, and conducive. Scheduling interviews with key stakeholders also required flexibility; when respondents were unavailable during the official data collection period, we adapted by conducting virtual interviews to ensure their perspectives were included.
Lessons in Leadership and Collaboration
Daily planning sessions with the Lagos and Kaduna field teams proved invaluable. These check-ins provided space for sharing challenges, adapting strategies, and maintaining morale. As the lead coordinator, it was my responsibility to keep the process aligned and ensure no disruption derailed the larger purpose of the evaluation. This required balancing technical oversight with motivation reminding the team of the importance of their work while also safeguarding their wellbeing.
Looking bac
k, the experience underscored just how complex yet rewarding evaluations can be. Coordinating across multiple projects, states, partners, and communities required constant problem-solving and adaptation. Yet, what stands out most for me is the professionalism and resilience of the field team, the first majority-female evaluation team at CRADI. Their competence, commitment, and ability to navigate difficult terrains and cultural dynamics ensured that we not only met our targets but also upheld the integrity of the evaluation process.
This experience reaffirmed my belief in the importance of women leading in evaluation practice. By creating a team that was gender-balanced and intentionally female-led, we were able to engage respondents more effectively, gain richer insights, and set a precedent for building the next generation of skilled female evaluators.
by Dr. Jeji Williams, Chief of Staff to the Governor, delivered a stirring address, framing peace as the essential bedrock of all progress. “This launch is not just a ceremonial event; it is a bold declaration of our political will,” he stated. He powerfully expanded the definition of peace, noting that it is “the presence of justice, opportunity, and equity. It gives life to development, attracts investment, and allows our children to go to school without fear.”
