
As part of IITA–CGIAR’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of national institutions and partners, the Project Development and Administration Unit (PDAU) held a webinar on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, with 54 participants from 12 partner institutions across locations hosting IITA hubs. The session focused on equipping partner staff with the knowledge and skills to manage development grants effectively, emphasizing donor compliance, accurate financial reporting, and adherence to institutional and regulatory standards. In his opening remarks, Kayode Awobajo, Head of PDAU, encouraged active engagement, while outlining the session’s objectives and expected outcomes.
The training session covered key areas, including grants management overview, roles and responsibilities, workflow processes, common reporting challenges, standard practices, and IITA’s practical approach to effective grants administration. Facilitated by members of the PDAU team Ovegho Okome and Omotunde Adesina, an interactive question and answer session allowed participants to seek clarifications, share experiences, and provide feedback.
Commending the experience sharing during the sessions, some of the participants said IITA-PDAU’s support and collaboration with national partners especially in the area of grant management will go a long way to aid the research and development sector in the region, while adding that such capacity building efforts will further strengthen national systems.
To improve subsequent trainings, participants completed an evaluation survey, sharing feedback and suggestions for improvement.
In his closing remarks, Awobajo appreciated the participants’ active contributions and reiterated IITA-PDAU’s commitment to supporting national institutions and partners in strengthening their grant management capacity. The webinar highlighted PDAU’s role in fostering compliance, transparency, and project implementation accountability, aligning with donor expectations and institutional standards.
Contributed by Joseph Taiwo
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