Austin Peacemaker Inaede has emerged the General Secretary of the well known Civil Society Organisations Budget Implementation Assessment Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (CBIAMEC). This was made known to the general public after an inaugural session held in Abuja on Friday 14 August, 2026. The elite Nigerian CSOs Committee was said to have inaugurated its newly elected executives with a renewed commitment to strengthening budget monitoring, promoting transparency and ensuring that government spending translates into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
The inauguration and oath-taking ceremony brought together members of CBIAMEC, civil society representatives, officials and other stakeholders to chart a stronger course for public finance accountability and effective monitoring of government programmes and projects.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected National Coordinator of CBIAMEC, Mr Patrick Omorege Oghenenyerovwo, described his appointment as a call to service rather than merely a position.
He pledged to lead the committee with responsibility and commitment towards ensuring that public resources are properly managed and that government spending produces measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerians.
Mr. Oghenenyerovwo said CBIAMEC would focus on asking critical questions about government budgets, including whether funds were released, whether projects were delivered according to required standards and whether such projects ultimately improved the lives of the intended beneficiaries.
He outlined six key priorities for his administration: strengthening budget monitoring; producing evidence-based reports backed by credible assessments; improving citizens’ understanding of government budgets and policies; promoting transparency and accountability; building members’ capacity in budget monitoring; and deploying technology and data to track government activities and expenditure.The new coordinator said the committee would also work constructively with government institutions to improve budget implementation strategies rather than limiting its activities to criticism.
He pledged to remain accountable, loyal and functional in office while providing constructive criticism where necessary, with the support of the newly inaugurated executive members.
According to him, CBIAMEC’s responsibility includes monitoring implementation, identifying gaps, advocating improved outcomes and working with relevant stakeholders to strengthen accountability in public finance.
He stressed that civil society organisations must go beyond recording budgetary allocations to verifying whether the funds are released, projects implemented and services delivered to the people.
He said the inauguration of the new executives was aimed at strengthening public finance accountability and recognising emerging approaches to governance and citizen participation.
Also speaking, the outgoing CBIAMEC National Coordinator Mr Osakpolor Splendor, emphasised the need for CBIAMEC to develop practical solutions to longstanding challenges in project monitoring.He said the committee must expand its operations beyond the Federal Capital Territory and establish effective monitoring mechanisms across the country’s 774 local government areas.
Mr. Splendor noted that such expansion would enable the organisation to identify implementation gaps and lapses in government programmes at the grassroots, where citizens directly experience the impact of public policies and expenditure.The event proceeded with the administration of the oath of office, during which the newly elected executives both on-site and virtually formally pledged their commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to them.The oath, which is anchored on the adopted CBIAMEC Charter and its guiding principles, formally marked the commencement of the new executives’ tenure.
A Federal Government representative, Comrade Solomon Adodo, commended the role of civil society organisations in promoting accountability in public expenditure.Comrade Adodo said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would welcome effective mechanisms that ensure government allocations reach their designated beneficiaries and are utilised for their intended purposes across the country.
He expressed the government’s appreciation for the contribution of civil society organisations and acknowledged the importance of CBIAMEC’s role in promoting transparency and accountability.
In a goodwill message, Comrade Okpanachi Jacob of NADECO urged the new executives to intensify their efforts and pursue reforms capable of producing measurable and lasting impact.He challenged the leadership to address outstanding issues confronting the committee and ensure that its interventions result in changes that can be documented and sustained over time.
The President of Civil society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) Chief Dominic Ogakwu who delivered the closing remarks, charged the new executives to uphold the organisation’s motto and remain committed to accountability and due diligence throughout their tenure.
Chief Ogakwu, while congratulating the new executives, he urged them to work closely with their predecessors and take advantage of their experience and institutional knowledge, particularly through structured training and mentorship.He also pledged to sponsor the first day of training for the newly inaugurated executives to strengthen their understanding of their responsibilities and prepare them for effective service.
The General Secretary Austin Peacemaker Inaede in media chat expressed gratitude to God for the success of the entire electoral process where he shared his mandate with the entire CBIAMEC General Assembly and further expressed optimism in the tasks ahead, stating that: “To whom much is given much is expected, and excuse is far from this expectation.”
He added that he hopes to bring his wealth of experience into practise as an expert in Peace and Conflict Studies where he brings real-world resolution strategies to civil society organisation and MDAs for a more harmonious society that is full of tangible development across board.
The inauguration marked a new phase for CBIAMEC, with the new leadership expected to strengthen grassroots budget monitoring, improve citizen participation, and provide credible assessments of how public resources are translated into government projects and services.
Amb. Austin Peacemaker Inaede