The Jigawa government has set aside N90 billion for social welfare programmes in the 2025 fiscal year.

Gov. Umar Namadi stated this during the signing of the 2025-2027 Multi Year Work Plan, between the state government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday in Dutse.

He said the amount represented 16 per cent of capital investment in the 2025 approved budget, to facilitate implementation of women protection, water and sanitation, healthcare and education programmes.

The governor said the partnership between the state and the UNICEF has been productive and beneficial to the people, especially for the protection, survival and development of children and women.

“The collaboration between UNICEF and some of our MDAs resulted in the three-year rolling plan and it testifies to the strong and dynamic partnership between UNICEF and the Jigawa state government.

“UNICEF is the oldest development partner that has consistently supported Jigawa state since its creation 1991.

“UNICEF uses its own budgetary resources to support our development efforts, while we also mobilise resources from other development partners, to contribute to the development of our state.

“Over the years, the efforts have continued to produce positive and lasting impacts on the various spheres of economic, social and human development sectors in the state,” he said.

According to Namadi, the state is making a steady progress in spite of challenges, which is evident from the latest National Demographic and Health Survey Results.

While reiterating commitment to the three-year work plan, Namadi tasked MDAs to ensure its effective implementation.

He, therefore, directed the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to coordinate bi-annual joint implementation report to ensure full implementation of the work plan.

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This, he said would enable the partners to assess performances and adopt proactive measures to address challenges.

Earlier, Rahama Mohammed-Farah, UNICEF, Chief of Field Office, Kano, said the workplan was a demonstration to its strong partnership with the state.

He said the state had demonstrated strong commitment to the partnership with UNICEF which was further strengthened under the present admadministration.

“The signing of this workplan therefore, formalises yet again our partnership that holds immense promise for the children and families of Jigawa state.

“This Workplan is not just a document, it is a testament to our shared vision for a brighter future for every child in Jigawa state,” Mohammed-Farrah said.

He said the work plan envisaged ambitious targets and outcomes for which resources need to be mobilised, adding the state government was expected to contribute to achieve the set objectives.

According to him, UNICEF acknowledges the current realities of dwindling global donor funding, hence the significance of the government contribution.

The UNICEF official stressed the need to explore innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms, to ensure the continuity and scalability of the programmes.

He further called for increase allocation to health, nutrition, education, WASH, child protection, and social protection.

“By prioritising investments in these sectors, the state can build resilient systems that are less dependent on external funding and more responsive to the needs of its people”.