Kaduna State government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has commenced a five-day capacity-building workshop for members of the State Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) technical implementation team.

The workshop focuses on programme-based budgeting (PBB) aimed at improving fiscal discipline, resource allocation and accountability in the state’s budgetary process.

Speaking at the event on Monday in Kano, the commissioner, state planning and budget commission, Mukhtar Ahmed, described the training as “timely and strategic” for aligning the state’s budget with MTEF, Sector Implementation Plans (SIPs) and PBB principles.

“These tools are not just technical innovations,” he said, “they are strategic enablers for improved fiscal discipline, better resource allocation, and stronger accountability to the citizens of Kaduna State.”

Mr Ahmed said the sessions would cover the MTEF and budget preparation process, the use of the programme segment of the national chart of accounts, sector situation analysis, and practical applications of the Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) costing templates.

“Our aim is simple but vital to ensure that our budgets are evidence-based, gender and social inclusion (G&SI) compliant, and directly responsive to the development priorities of our people,” he said.

He noted that the gathering would also strengthen teamwork among technical officers, foster inter-sectoral collaboration and deepen understanding of fiscal realities.

“By the end of this workshop, we expect tangible improvements in the quality of our budget documents for 2026–2028, with a clear link between policy objectives, programmes and measurable results,” Mr Ahmed added.

The commissioner commended UNICEF for its continued partnership and technical support in strengthening public financial management systems in the state.

Earlier, UNICEF’s social policy officer, Kaduna Field Office, Wakidara Akila, said the training was aimed at strengthening the ministry’s capacity to integrate child-focused priorities into budget planning and implementation.

According to her, the focus areas include health, education, water, sanitation and social protection.

Ms Akila explained that UNICEF’s objective was to support the state government in aligning its fiscal policies with the welfare of children, adding that budgetary allocations should reflect the rights and needs of the most vulnerable.

She said adequate provision for children’s services in the budget was key to achieving sustainable development goals and improving the overall well-being of the state’s population.

(NAN)