Zamfara Invests N500m to Improve Child Nutrition, Support Vulnerable Women, Children
UNICEF has commended the Zamfara State Government for its efforts to improve child nutrition and strengthen care and protection systems for children across the state. UNICEF Country Representative, Mrs Wafaa Saeed, said the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal deserved recognition for promptly releasing N500 million as counterpart funding for the state’s nutrition programme and for […]
UNICEF has commended the Zamfara State Government for its efforts to improve child nutrition and strengthen care and protection systems for children across the state.
UNICEF Country Representative, Mrs Wafaa Saeed, said the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal deserved recognition for promptly releasing N500 million as counterpart funding for the state’s nutrition programme and for its commitment to providing human resources in the health and education sectors.
“We recognise the commitment of Governor Dauda Lawal and his wife, Hajiya Hurriya. The payment of the child nutrition counterpart funds clearly shows the seriousness of the state government,” she said.
Mrs Saeed, who spoke in Zamfara during a courtesy visit to the governor, said UNICEF was in the state to listen to its priorities and support efforts to strengthen the welfare of children and vulnerable groups.
“I really want to commend your leadership commitment. This is really great,” she said.
The state government has launched key initiatives targeted at improving the lives of children and vulnerable populations. These include a five-year Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) strategy on child nutrition (2025–2030) and a strategy for implementing the state’s alternative childcare guidelines.
The documents were unveiled in Gusau by the Deputy Governor, Malam Mani Mummuni, on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal, alongside Mrs Saeed.
The strategies were developed with UNICEF’s support, underscoring the administration’s commitment to building partnerships aimed at improving child welfare across the state.
While unveiling the documents, the Deputy Governor expressed gratitude to UNICEF for its long-standing partnership. He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for effective implementation of joint programmes.
“Your support has continued to complement our administration’s rescue and development agenda, especially in addressing the needs of displaced children, increasing school enrolment, expanding immunisation coverage, and improving service delivery in rural areas,” he said.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, called for deeper collaboration with UNICEF in three priority areas to accelerate development outcomes for children and women.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the SSG, Suleman Ahmad Tudu, said the areas include the construction of child-friendly model classrooms built to UNICEF standards, similar to models used in countries like Bangladesh.
He said the partnership also aims to establish child-friendly healthcare facilities in each of the three senatorial districts.
“We look forward to strengthening evidence-based data generation to improve planning, budgeting and targeted investments in children and women.
“One key proposal is the conduct of a state general household survey in the 2026 fiscal year to generate reliable data to guide public-sector responses and resource allocation,” the SSG said.