By Queen Madaki
Stakeholders from Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states have joined the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to review the implementation of ongoing programmes and begin drafting a new Country Programme Document (CPD) for 2028–2032 aimed at improving the wellbeing of women and children.
The Bureau Journal reports that the two-day strategic meeting, held in Sokoto, assessed progress made under the current programme while identifying priority areas that will shape future interventions across the three North-West states.
UNICEF Calls for Evidence-Based Planning
Speaking at the meeting, UNICEF Chief Field Officer, Michael Juma, said the review was designed to identify major challenges encountered over the past three and a half years and develop practical, evidence-based solutions capable of delivering measurable impact for children and women.
He urged participating ministries to identify between four and five priority areas across sectors such as health, education and child protection to strengthen future programming.
Juma also stressed the importance of aligning state development plans with the new Country Programme Document to improve programme quality, scalability and long-term sustainability.
According to him, stronger coordination between development and humanitarian interventions would also help address emergencies and reduce child deprivation across the region.
States Urged to Define Strategic Priorities
The UNICEF official encouraged Permanent Secretaries from the three states to take the lead in defining child-focused priorities that would support resource mobilisation and ensure the inclusion of critical interventions in the next country programme.
He commended the governments of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara for providing an enabling environment for productive consultations, noting that the discussions had generated balanced assessments of progress and implementation challenges.
Traditional Rulers Seek Greater Collaboration
Chairman of the occasion and Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Muhammad, praised UNICEF for its decades-long support to communities across the region.
He called for stronger collaboration with traditional institutions, particularly in addressing the growing challenges of internal displacement and the rising number of out-of-school children.
“I have been collaborating with UNICEF for the past 32 years since I ascended the throne in Zamfara State. I know your relevance and the interventions you have made across several sectors, which are commendable,” he said.
Sokoto Calls for Data-Driven Solutions
Sokoto State Permanent Secretary, Buhari Umar, urged participants to adopt data-driven and community-specific approaches when developing interventions.
He said stakeholders should critically analyse available development indicators to understand existing challenges and design strategies tailored to local realities.
Umar further reminded participants that they owed a responsibility to the state’s estimated 6.7 million residents, particularly in advancing the survival, protection, development and participation of women and children.
Kebbi Reaffirms Commitment to Partnership
Kebbi State Permanent Secretary, Barrister Kudirat Shuaibu, described the meeting as an important opportunity to evaluate existing programmes and identify practical ways to improve outcomes.
She said the theme of the meeting, which focused on moving from evidence to strategic prioritisation, underscored the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Shuaibu appreciated UNICEF for its continued support to Kebbi State and expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen development outcomes across key sectors.
Stakeholders Agree on Future Priorities
At the end of the meeting, participants agreed to prioritise evidence-based planning, stronger coordination, improved alignment with state development plans and child-centred interventions in developing UNICEF’s 2028–2032 Country Programme for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
As Nigeria News Today continues to monitor development initiatives across the country, The Bureau Journal understands that the new programme is expected to strengthen healthcare, education, child protection and social development for millions of women and children in the three states.
The Bureau Journal will continue to provide updates on the implementation of the new UNICEF Country Programme as consultations progress.
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