By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
The United nations childrens fund UNICEF says the social sector in Kano state has often been underfunded relative to the magnitude of challenges facing the children in the state.
The chief of UNICEF field office Kano, Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohamed Farah, stated this during a media Dialogue on child-sensitive Budgeting and planning in Kano.
He explained that, child sensitive budgeting remains a non-negotiable investment for Kano State’s future.
“The child in Kano State is our present reality and our collective responsibility.
Despite ongoing efforts to improve the lives of children in Kano state, the data on the status of children in Kano tells a compelling and urgent story.”
Dr. Rahma Rihood noted that Kano State has an estimated 6.5 million children under 18 years.
“About 143,000 children under five die each year before reaching their fifth birthday in Kano based on the under-five mortality rate of 143 per 1,000 live births MICS 2021”
“Of the nearly 6.5 million children, approximately 2.9 million children are not fully immunised, leaving them vulnerable to preventable and life-threatening diseases (MICS 2021).
The chief of Field office hinted that, around 4 million children in Kano experience multidimensional poverty, lacking essential access to health, education, and nutrition services.
Approximately over 3 million children live in monetary poverty, with families severely limited in meeting basic needs.” Dr Rahma said
According to state UNICEF field office, about 35% of children at Primary and JJS schooling age are not attending schools.
“This is threatening Kano State’s future human capital and economic development”
Mr. Rahma Rihood Mohamed Farah pointed out that Children in Kano continue to face the risk of the circulating polio variant. In 2025, so far, 3 cases have been reported from Kano state.
“Investing in children their health, nutrition, education, protection, and participation is not charity; it is an essential and strategic investment by Kano State.”
Mr. Rahma Rihood further stressed that it an investment in Kano’s future human capital, and most importantly it is an investment to break cycles of poverty, build resilience, and secure lasting peace and prosperity, adding that, the Nigeria Child Rights Act 2003 which has been domesticated in Kano State as a Child Protection Law, is not just a legal instrument, but a budgetary imperative
“ It also requires visible, deliberate budgeting that prioritises childrens needs”
He also explained that sensitive Budgeting is all about creating line items for clinics and schools in the budget.
” The choices we make in the next Kano State budget process will reflect our true priorities. Let us make every Naira count for Kano’s children. Let us build Kano’s future one child-sensitive budget at a time. The time for talking is over. The time for children-focused budgetary action is now”
Earlier in his remarks, the speaker Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Isma’il Falgore, expressed readiness to support all efforts for the implementation of child Protection law in the state.
Represented by the deputy speaker, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Butu-Butu, said the only way to produce good leaders in the future is to educate the younger ones and give them good heth.
” The State House of Assembly have enacted the law for Child Protection. A lot of provisions have been made in the state Budget. Because the present administration is doing better in terms of fund release, it is left to MDAs, ministries and parastatals to make the best decisions financially.” The speaker said
During the event, papers were presented- Innovative Budgeting and Planning from Oluwaloyin Ugobor from UNICEF Kano field office and Salisu Yusuf from Civil Society Organisation.
The event witnessed large turn out of journalists, representatives from MoPB, Ministry of Water Resources, SUBEB, as well as the Speaker of the Kano State Children’s Parliament.
