This paper examined the barriers/challenges facing the evaluation profession in Nigeria and the role of the Nigerian Association of Evaluators (NAE) towards improving the profession. The paper also draws lessons from other African countries on how to improve evaluation practice in Nigeria. The findings indicate that paucity of evaluation skill, partial implementation of national monitoring and evaluation systems, lack of monitoring and evaluation ownership, nonutilization of evaluation results and funding are the main barriers/challenges confronting evaluation conduct in Nigeria. The paper therefore recommends that the NAE should improve the technical capacity of evaluation practitioners in Nigeria; organize workshop for cross learning and experience sharing among practitioners; supporting monitoring and evaluation ownership and canvass for utilization of evaluation results. The paper finds from cross country analysis that institutionalizing the evaluation of public polices is a veritable step towards a National Evaluation Policy in Nigeria, which will promote good monitoring and evaluation practice in the country. Overall, we recommend that policy makers in Nigeria should aim to use evaluation in improving the effectiveness of public policies.