UNICEF commends Sokoto’s investments in child healthcare, education

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The Executive Director of UNICEF, Catherine Russell, on Friday commended the Sokoto State Government for its efforts to improve the health, education and protection of children, saying investments in children remain the surest path to securing Nigeria’s future.

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Russell spoke at the Government House in Sokoto during her official visit to the state, where she toured the Rumbukawa Primary Health Centre and a Digital Village, and met with health workers, teachers, government officials, mothers and young people.

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Representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, the Deputy Governor, Idris Mohammed Gobir, welcomed the UNICEF delegation and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the UN agency and other development partners.

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Gobir expressed appreciation to UNICEF for selecting Sokoto as one of the states on Russell’s mission to Nigeria and acknowledged the agency’s contributions to improving maternal and child health, education, and child protection across the state.

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He said the Ahmed Aliyu administration had prioritised healthcare since assuming office, citing the renovation of health facilities, the recruitment of more than 1,500 nurses and midwives, and the engagement of 2,440 Community Health Extension Workers deployed to primary healthcare centres across the state.

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The deputy governor also highlighted ongoing investments in rural water supply, school infrastructure and environmental improvements.

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According to him, the state, in collaboration with UNICEF, has established 10 integrated Qur’anic schools, child-friendly centres in Shuni and Dange-Shuni Local Government Areas, ICT training facilities for Almajiri children, and vocational programmes that have graduated 2,723 out-of-school children with start-up support.

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“We are working in collaboration with development partners such as UNICEF, Plan International and Save the Children to improve the lives of our children and women,” Gobir said.

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He noted that despite the progress, insecurity continued to threaten education and healthcare delivery in parts of the state.

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“Sokoto is one of the states facing serious security challenges affecting our schools and healthcare facilities. This troubling situation severely undermines our commitment to ensuring that every child and every mother has access to a safe and nurturing environment,” he said.

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Gobir appealed to UNICEF and other partners for additional support to rehabilitate health and educational facilities destroyed during attacks.

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“I wish to request additional support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of health and educational facilities across the state,” he added.

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The deputy governor further thanked UNICEF for its sustained support through various programmes, including interventions funded by the European Union aimed at reducing maternal, newborn and child mortality.

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He assured the delegation that Sokoto remained committed to deepening collaboration with UNICEF in advancing the rights and well-being of children and women.

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Responding, Russell described her visit to Sokoto as inspiring, saying she had witnessed firsthand the impact of collaboration between government, communities and development partners.

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“My visit to Sokoto has been truly inspiring. At both the Rumbukawa Primary Health Centre and the Digital Village, I have seen what is possible when leadership, partnership and community commitment come together,” she said.

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She praised the dedication of frontline workers and community members working to improve the lives of children.

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“I met with dedicated health workers, teachers, local officials and mothers determined to give their children the best possible start in life. I also met children and young people whose curiosity, creativity and ambition remind us why investing in them is the wisest investment in the future,” Russell said.

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The UNICEF chief said discussions with Nigeria’s Vice President, the First Lady, diplomats, private sector leaders and young Nigerians reinforced the country’s enormous potential despite existing challenges.

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“One message came through consistently: Nigeria’s children face significant challenges. But those challenges do not define Nigeria’s future. What defines that future is the extraordinary talent, resilience and innovation of its people,” she said.

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Russell stressed that decisions made today for children would determine the country’s future.

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“The choices that are made today for children will shape Nigeria for decades to come. Every child who is healthy, learning and protected strengthens not only their own future, but the future of their community, this state and the nation,” she said.

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She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting governments and communities across Nigeria.

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“UNICEF is proud to be a trusted partner. We remain committed to working alongside the Federal Government, the Government of Sokoto State, communities, development partners and young people themselves to help ensure that every child can survive, thrive, learn and reach their full potential,” Russell added.

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