To inform targeted interventions for improvement in service delivery in the health, education, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sectors, it is important to identify the gaps in service delivery and the underlying causes of suboptimal service delivery. In view of this, DGI Consult was engaged by Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI) to conduct a service delivery gap analysis for Education, Health and WASH sectors in Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Gombe and Sokoto States.

The analysis involved the use of mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) to generate evidence of the gaps in the service delivery in the three sectors and determine the underlying causes of the gaps. These include: (a) desk review of existing relevant documents on service delivery performance indicators, states’ financial documents, as well as federal and state health, education and WASH policies, strategies, and laws; (b) key informant interviews with the State and Local Government stakeholders; and (c) focus group discussions at the ward level with Ward Development Committees (WDCs), School-based Management Committees (SBMC) and WASH Committees (WASHCOM).

Findings from the assessment in each of the sectors revealed the gaps in service delivery performance, policy landscape, human resources, financing, equipment and infrastructure and accountability. Thereafter, interventions for improving services in the six states focusing on the three core service delivery areas were recommended. Also, a service improvement plan (SIP) with details of the identified gaps, recommended interventions, responsibilities and timelines was developed for each of the sectors per state. The SIP will serve as a key advocacy tool for service improvement in the target sectors.