Jigawa commits to UNICEF partnership for health and education funding

Jigawa State Reaffirms Commitment to UNICEF Partnership

The Jigawa State Government has once again emphasized its dedication to maintaining and strengthening its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in order to enhance child welfare. This commitment includes a pledge of consistent funding for critical programs that will be implemented in the coming year.

Over the years, the collaboration between the state and UNICEF has focused on improving various aspects of children’s lives, including health, education, nutrition, and child protection. These efforts have been especially vital in rural communities where poverty and access gaps remain significant challenges.

Through joint initiatives, thousands of children have received vaccinations against preventable diseases such as polio. Additionally, new schools have been constructed, and vulnerable children have been safeguarded from exploitation. These achievements highlight the positive impact of the partnership on the most disadvantaged populations.

The renewed commitment comes as the state prepares for 2026 with fresh goals aimed at building upon past successes. During an end-of-year review meeting held in Dutse, the state capital, the Permanent Secretary for Administration and Finance in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Saidu, reaffirmed the government’s long-standing dedication to working with UNICEF.

The meeting was organized to evaluate the accomplishments of 2025, identify existing challenges, and outline the plan for 2026. Saidu highlighted the importance of continuing support for UNICEF’s programs, stating that the state would allocate a dedicated budget line annually for these initiatives.

“This support targets key areas such as health services, school improvements, nutrition initiatives, and child protection,” he said. He also noted that these sectors are central to Jigawa’s broader development agenda.

“The collaboration strengthens our fight against child vulnerabilities,” Saidu added, as participants at the session pledged cross-agency cooperation to ensure the success of the plan.

The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, brought together representatives from various ministries and agencies across the state. It concluded on an optimistic note, with renewed enthusiasm for expanded interventions in 2026.

In August, it was reported that the Jigawa government, in collaboration with UNICEF, engaged over 90 officials in training on Result-Based Budgeting, with a focus on the education sector. This initiative was part of their intervention on education financing.

Education specialist with UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr Muntaka Mukhtar, mentioned this during a three-day workshop held in Katsina State. He explained that the purpose of the training was to improve education financing by ensuring sufficient and sustained resources that enable every child to learn and acquire skills for the future.

This ongoing effort reflects the state’s determination to invest in the future of its children through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions. As Jigawa looks ahead to 2026, the emphasis remains on sustainability, inclusivity, and measurable outcomes that benefit the most vulnerable members of society.