The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has begun a two-day evidence-based state-level consultation to shape its 2028–2032 country programme, bringing together stakeholders to identify priority child development interventions.

The consultation, with the theme, “From Evidence To Priority,” focuses on validating evidence and identifying pressing challenges affecting children in Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Kwara states.

Speaking at the opening on Wednesday in Kaduna, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Kaduna, Gerida Birukila, described the exercise as the first step towards developing UNICEF’s next country programme for Nigeria.

Ms Birukila said the programme would be built on evidence and contributions from stakeholders to ensure interventions address realities confronting children across the participating states.

She said UNICEF’s Kaduna Field Office covers Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Kwara states, with more than seven million children aged between zero and 17 years.

According to her, children constitute more than 30 per cent of the combined population of about 23 million across the four states.

She said participants were not merely attending the consultation but helping determine priorities that would guide UNICEF’s work between 2028 and 2032.

Ms Birukila explained that the consultation covers evidence validation and prioritisation before developing implementation strategies for the new country programme.

She said participants’ experiences, local knowledge and field data would strengthen national evidence and guide future investments for children.

She identified the child nutrition crisis, newborn mortality and zero-dose children as key priorities requiring urgent interventions.

She also listed out-of-school children, limited birth registration, multidimensional poverty, and climate and disaster vulnerability among critical development concerns.

According to her, insecurity, climate change and environmental disasters continue disrupting education and exposing children to greater risks.

She urged stakeholders to explore innovative approaches, including technology and community-based solutions, to ensure learning continues during emergencies.

Ms Birukila stressed that prolonged school closures reduce children’s chances of returning to classrooms, especially vulnerable and displaced learners.

She said evidence gathered during the consultation would influence programme priorities, funding decisions, staffing requirements and future interventions.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Planning and Budget Commission, Mukhtar Ahmed, described the consultation as timely for reviewing progress and shaping future development priorities.

Mr Ahmed appreciated UNICEF for its longstanding partnership in supporting health, nutrition, education, child protection, water, sanitation and social policy programmes.

He reaffirmed the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to evidence-based planning, collaborative partnerships and sustainable development outcomes for children.

He urged participants to contribute practical ideas and technical expertise to ensure identified priorities reflect community realities and children’s needs.

The consultation is being held simultaneously across UNICEF field offices in Nigeria.

In Kaduna, participants cut across education, health, information, women affairs, civil society, and MDAs within the UNICEF Kaduna field office, among others.

(NAN)