The Jigawa State Government has allocated ₦90 billion for social welfare programmes in the 2025 fiscal year, reinforcing its commitment to improving the well-being of residents. Governor Umar Namadi disclosed this on Thursday in Dutse during the signing of the 2025-2027 Multi-Year Work Plan between the state government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to the governor, the allocated sum represents 16% of the state’s capital expenditure in the 2025 budget. The funds will support key social welfare initiatives, including women’s protection, water and sanitation, healthcare, and education.
Governor Namadi emphasized Jigawa’s longstanding collaboration with UNICEF, describing the organization as a crucial development partner since the state’s creation in 1991. He credited UNICEF’s support for significant progress in child and women’s welfare, citing joint efforts between the agency and various state ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as instrumental in shaping the new three-year work plan.
Despite economic challenges, the governor expressed confidence in the state’s development trajectory, referencing positive indicators from recent National Demographic and Health Survey results. He reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to the work plan and directed all relevant MDAs to ensure its effective execution.
To monitor progress, Governor Namadi tasked the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning with coordinating bi-annual implementation reports, allowing for performance assessment and early identification of challenges.
“This measure will enable the government and its partners to assess performances and adopt proactive measures to address potential challenges,” he stated.
Speaking at the event, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Rahama Mohammed-Farah, described the work plan as a symbol of the strengthened partnership between UNICEF and the Jigawa State Government. He stressed that achieving the plan’s ambitious targets requires strong financial commitment, particularly as global donor funding continues to decline.
“UNICEF recognizes the challenges posed by decreasing donor funding globally, which makes the state government’s financial commitment even more critical,” Mohammed-Farah noted.
He urged Jigawa to explore innovative and sustainable financing models to ensure the long-term viability of essential programmes. He also called for increased budgetary allocations to critical sectors, including health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), child protection, and social welfare.
By prioritizing investments in these areas, he said, Jigawa could develop resilient systems that are less reliant on external funding and better equipped to meet the needs of its population.
