The IITA–CGIAR Project Development and Administration Unit (PDAU) organized a 3-day workshop on “Effective Proposal Budgeting, Grants Management, and Administration” at the Institute’s headquarters from 18 to 20 July 2022. The workshop aimed to develop capacity and close the knowledge gap of participating institutions to enhance effective service delivery in managing grants from IITA and other international development organizations.
In attendance were scientists and administrative staff from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD); Crops Research Institute (CSIR), Ghana; Sasakawa Africa Association; Bayero University, Kano (BUK), and IITA.
Kayode Awobajo, Head, IITA-PDAU, graciously welcomed and encouraged participants to take advantage of the training to exchange experiences freely, share lessons learned, and network with colleagues during the sessions. In his opening remarks, the IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, explained the importance of the capacity development activity in promoting partnership among IITA’s collaborators. He encouraged participants to maximize the opportunity to exchange knowledge to enhance productivity, especially in resource mobilization and better implementation of projects.
The facilitators were from the PDAU team. Moruff Kareem gave a presentation on “Fundamentals of grants proposal budgeting,” and Ovegho Okome took a session on “Understanding contract financial management.” Seun Oladeji facilitated the session on “Stakeholders and time management in grants administration”, and Samuel Olowoyeye from IITA Finance Directorate spoke on “Partners’ financial reporting, invoicing justification, and fund disbursement.”
Activities during the interactive workshop included case studies, practical sessions, and ice-breakers while participants took a tour of IITA facilities on the workshop’s final day.
In his closing remarks, Awobajo appreciated the participants for their brilliant contributions during the sessions and acknowledged the tremendous efforts put into the planning by his PDAU colleagues while expressing excitement for the positive feedback from the participants.
During the wrap-up session, Prof Emmanuel Otoo, on behalf of CSIR-CRI, Ghana, expressed delight at IITA’s excellent delivery during the training and committed to attend future training with his team.
Abdul Abdulrasheed from Sasakawa appreciated the PDAU team’s professional delivery during the training while assuring that the quality experience gained will open further collaborative opportunities and engagements between the two institutions.
Dr Amina Mustapha from BUK appreciated IITA for sustaining a long-standing partnership between both institutions. She said she looks forward to more collaboration and attending such training in the future.
Prof Abiodun Ojo from ABUAD, said the training experience was an eye-opener for him and his colleagues while extending goodwill wishes from Aare Afe Babalola, the founder of ABUAD. Prof Ojo added that the training would strengthen the positive collaboration between IITA and ABUAD.
The feedback from participants reinforced the necessity of further engaging the PDAU team to establish and build the capacity of similar Central Grants Office in their various institutions.
According to CDA, BUK group feedback, “We came aspiring to learn from IITA-PDAU’s wealth of experience and exposure, and our expectations were met. Our anticipations were also met and the hospitality was top-notch. The ice-breaker sessions also helped establish bonds among participants, which was worth all the time spent. We are indeed grateful to the workshop organizers, and their effort is appreciated.”
Wrapping up the workshop, Hilde Koper-Limbourg, IITA’s Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, presented certificates to participants while acknowledging the strategic role of the PDAU team in IITA. She appreciated the active interaction by participants and encouraged further collaborations between participating institutions and the IITA-PDAU team.
Contributed by Anita Akinyomade
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