By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
Kano state government has expressed its commitment to partner with UNICEF and other partners in the implementation of Child protection law in the state.
The state commissioner for women affairs and Disable Parsons Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani stated this during this year’s world Children’s Day celebration Organized by Kano state Radio Corporation in collaboration with UNICEF field office Kano.
The commissioner represented by Deputy Director planning and statistics of the ministry Malam Zubairu Abdulmumin said Kano state government has been in par for the implementation of state child protection Law after passing the Bill into law by the state of Assembly.
“The bill was signed by the previous administration but the present administration start something in the implementation of the law considering what government doing for its children’s welfare.” Hajiya Amina said
The commissioner further said Kano state government is doing everything possible to ensure all the children in the state has the access quality of their education, healthcare delivery, Birth Registration as well as good Nutrition status.
Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani also commended the UNICEF for its good support to Kano state government in the area of education and health sectors.
Speaking earlier, Mr Rahama Rihood Muhammad Farah UNICEF field office Kano expressed their commitment in supporting Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states to strengthening the challenges affecting the children.
He said World Children’s Day is a global day in which the United Nations and the World Celebrates most prized gift from God that is our children.
” Thank you for joining the children of Kano and indeed Nigeria, to celebrate this Global Day for Children.Distinguished guests, partners, colleagues and members of the media, it is an honour to present to you today the “Nigerian Child 2025” report. Rahma Rihood said
According to Rahma Rihood Mohamed Farah the report embodies the real-life experiences of children in Nigeria, highlighting both the progress we have made and the serious challenges that remain, including in UNICEF field office focused states : Katsina, Kano and Jigawa.
” Progress and Hopeover the last three decades, we have made some progress to celebrate:since 1990 The under 5 deaths in Nigeria have dropped by 43% , that is from 193 to 110 per 1,000 live births.Full vaccination coverage for children aged 12–23 months has tripled since 2003, from 13% to 39%,Birth registration is rising, opening doors for children to education and healthcare, humanitarian zones—including parts of the North—over 1.3 million people received health services in the first half of 2025, and 340,000 malnourished children were treated,Despite these gains, children in Nigeria, including those in the Northwest, continue to face severe challenges.Malnutrition remains high in the North-West, with Nigeria ranking the first country in Africa and the second in the world for the number of malnourished children. He added
According to Mr Rahama Rihood Education gaps persist as millions of children in the North are out of school, and many who attend struggle to learn due to overcrowded classrooms, insecurity, early Child marriage and harmful practices remain prevalent, with over half of girls in rural areas married before age 18.
He also said Education in these states presents a deep and urgent concern.
*Katsina, Kano and Jigawa together account for 16% of Nigeria’s 10.2 million out of school children. Katsina alone has over 300,000 children out of school, Kano nearly 900,000; and Jigawa more than 330,000.According to NDHS 2024 Malnutrition is high, with more than half of children under five stunted: Katsina 64.6%; Kano 51.9%; Jigawa 55.7% (according to NDHS 2024). He added
Mr Rahama Rihood said UNICEF is doing to support the Government to change the situation and the Achievements being recorded.
“UNICEF Kano Field Office has been working with the Governments of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States to address the development challenges affecting children as highlighted in The Nigerian Child 2025 report and I am proud to announce that progress in being recorded. Rahma Rihood emphasized
” We have also inaugurated medical Oxygen facilities which are functional and contributing to child survival in Kano state. In the Education sector, our collaboration has resulted in the integration of Qurainc schools into formal education, thus expanding access to education.” He said
UNICEF calls for collaborative action by Government, stakeholders, development partners, communities and CSOs to change the situation.
During the celebration of the day, some pupils conducted a panel Discussion on ensuring the wellbeing of children in Kano.
