As the sun cast its golden glow upon the serene surroundings of Lakowe Resorts on March 3, 2024, the stage was set for BudgIT’s management retreat, a three-day journey to reinforce the organisation’s achievements, navigate challenges, and fortify the journey ahead, hence the theme, ‘Reinforcing and Powering BudgIT’s Strategy From Within.’

As a visionary organization, we reflected on the foundational principles that guided our strategic framework for  2022–2026, with a steadfast commitment to learning at its core. Our emphasis on structured monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) processes underscored our dedication to continuous improvement and transparency in assessing strategy delivery and effectiveness. Through deep dives into our country offices and programs, we meticulously examined the alignment of our actions with our overarching strategy while proactively addressing risks and fostering internal cohesion. With all country leads from Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Senegal present, we embarked on this retreat with the same objectives as the general staff retreat in January, albeit tailored towards management staff—those at the apex of BudgIT’s organisational structure. 

During this retreat, we focused on a comprehensive review of our 2023 strategy implementation, tackling challenges head-on, and charting a renewed course for 2024–2026. Recognizing the significance of effective leadership and staying vigilant against emerging security threats, along with our unwavering dedication to protecting civic space, we engaged in crucial security awareness and leadership sessions. Equally vital was recognizing the importance of nurturing physical and mental well-being, which was prioritized throughout our retreat discussions. Together, as team leads and directors, we embarked on this retreat to reinforce our achievements, navigate challenges, and fortify our organization for the journey ahead.

Retreat Objective

In line with our dedication to ongoing enhancement and proactive leadership, the objectives of this management staff retreat encompassed the following: 

• Conduct a comprehensive strategy refresh aimed at identifying and reinforcing areas of progress, addressing deficiencies and challenges in our tools and resources (financial and human), and devising strategies to enhance overall strategy implementation performance.
• Facilitate targeted capacity-building sessions to address personnel and institutional weaknesses hindering strategy execution, prioritising areas crucial to our organisational effectiveness.
• Conduct security and health awareness sessions alongside capacity-building exercises to bolster staff and institutional readiness in mitigating security threats to our work and the broader civic space. 

Following the retreat, we’re confident our management staff has emerged revitalised and ready to execute BudgIT’s strategy in the upcoming years. We anticipate heightened ownership and commitment to executing it throughout 2024. 

A GLIMPSE INTO RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS

The Outset 

After settling in after our arrival, we gathered for a hearty lunch, setting the tone for collaboration and exchanging ideas. Led by our host, Gabriel Okeowo, Nigeria’s Country Director, we explored the purpose and desired outcome of the retreat. Ijeoma Chukwuma, BudgIT’s HR Manager, led us through a fun exercise on BudgIT’s culture, allowing us to acquaint ourselves with team leads who knew BudgIT’s core values, mission, and vision by heart. The Global Director, Oluseun Onigbinde, then led a thought-provoking discussion on the current state of our organisation, igniting conversations on evolution, culture, team management, and fundraising. We could only have a few sessions for day one since it was the day of our arrival, leaving everyone tired. Everyone retired early, eagerly anticipating the activities for the next day.

The Expedition

The second day began with a flurry of activities, from gym buffs pumping iron to water barbies diving into swimming pools. Some opted to hit their snooze button for some extra time in bed. We understand that not everyone is born a morning athlete!

After breakfast, we headed to the meeting room. Joseph Amenaghawon, BudgIT’s Strategy and Growth Advisor, led a session dissecting our strategy, celebrating successes, addressing areas for improvement, and brainstorming adjustments. We explored BudgIT’s history and current impact and reflected on our departmental efforts. Emphasising the importance of understanding our vision, mission, and values, the key takeaway was the need to empower our team and our mission. 

Victoria Ibezim Ohaeri, an external facilitator, piloted the second session on the topic “Civic Space and Trends Across West Africa.” We acknowledge the influential trends shaping the civic landscape, and as such, this session provided a comprehensive examination of common trends and potential mitigation strategies. The discussion emphasised the significance of civic space involvement in democratic societies, spanning both online and offline domains, and highlighted the historical legacies shared among West African countries. Following that, we discussed Programmatic Trends and Visioning, exploring topics like AI, climate change, and gender. Oluseun Onigbinde, BudgIT’s GD, led this session, and BudgIT’s Board Chair, Nehemiah Attigah, added additional insights by highlighting the significance of responsible governance and AI usage. Dr. Biobele Davidson, BudgIT’s SHS Lead, led a productive discussion on enhancing well-being through stress management, physical health, and encouraging life-changing habits and resilience to close out the day. Following the session, we refreshed ourselves and went to the cinema to relax and recharge our minds.

The Culmination

As the sun rose on the third day of the retreat, the energy was palpable as everyone eagerly embarked on their usual morning routines. With bodies refreshed and minds primed for learning, the day commenced with a thought-provoking leadership session by Oluseun Onigbinde. The session’s central theme was “Readings and Leadership Engagement,” during which we discussed the timeless lessons in Chuang Tzu’s poem The Woodcarver. While the Nigerian team had previously explored this during its staff retreat in January, it was an opportunity to extend its wisdom to BudgIT’s international management staff to engage with the material and glean new insights.

Collaborative leadership by an external facilitator, emphasising the importance of breaking down silos within our organisation, followed next. We explored the qualities of effective leadership in a collaborative work environment. One highlight of this session was the self-assessment exercise, where every participant could discover their leadership style through a provided questionnaire. It was a truly insightful and intellectually stimulating experience for all involved.

The day didn’t stop there. We also had the privilege of hearing country updates from our international offices in Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Senegal. These presentations provided insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by our teams across different regions. Gabriel Okeowo stepped up to share his insights on “Managing Ourselves and Others.” He covered various topics, including team management, performance appraisals, and the importance of providing constructive feedback. It was a comprehensive discussion that underscored the significance of clear expectations, alignment, and communication in fostering a productive work environment. In addition, BudgIT’s Board Chair, Nehemiah Attigah, shared valuable insights on feedback management, collaboration, and expense tracking. His wisdom and experience reminded us of the importance of continuous organisational improvement and accountability.

As dusk settled, we gathered outdoors for a delicious dinner, accompanied by music and karaoke. Laughter and dancing filled the air, fostering connections beyond the boardroom. It was the perfect way to close the retreat, leaving us with memories and wisdom to cherish.

With each session, we grew as individuals and a cohesive team united in our commitment to excellence and innovation. We eagerly anticipate the adventures that await us in the years ahead, knowing that each moment brings the potential for growth and transformation. Reflecting on the retreat, we are filled with gratitude for the wealth of knowledge and learning opportunities that have enriched our experience. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ford Foundation for making this transformative journey possible.