Nigeria: study of non-state providers of basic services

This paper looks at the service delivery of health, urban water and education by non-state providers (NSPs) in Nigeria.

Each sector study focused on three broad forms of government (or civil society) intervention or action: dialogue between state and non-state actors in deciding and reviewing policy and legislation about standards and regulatory systems; the implementation of interventions to regulate non-state providers by government and independent bodies by formal regulation or oversight; and the implementation of interventions to commission service delivery and facilitate or support non-state providers.

The main conclusions include:

• NSPs fill a very significant gap in basic service provision, where state provision is either inadequate or has failed. Their role is more substantial in health and education, where there is a long tradition of NSP participation. Their role in the provision of drinking water is increasing by default due largely to increasing urbanisation and the inability of public networks to cope with expansion. The long-term goal of some state governments is to attract private sector investment into the water sector
• despite the significance of NSPs in service delivery, the attitude of governments toward them, especially the small and informal ones, can be characterised as indifference and tolerance in the short term. The current policy environment is attempting to encourage the formal private and voluntary sectors to participate more in service delivery
• there is a fairly good regulation of NSPs governing entry through registration and approval (education) and licensing (health and water), but it is more difficult to monitor the quality and standards of delivery once entry is gained. In general regulation of NSPs is a major challenge for government in all sectors
• accountability to services users is generally weak. However, NSPs are more exposed competition and thus provide more choice to service users, especially in education and health
• dialogue between government and NSPs on policy matters is not institutionalised. This often takes place through umbrella NSPs or associations seeking to influence government on behalf of their members. These umbrella organisations are potential partners in improving the quality and coverage of service delivery if governments can provide support and adopt a more positive attitude towards them. There is potential for self-regulation through these associations.

[adapted from author]