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Boosting development in Katsina through Child-sensitive Budgeting

Boosting development in Katsina through Child-sensitive Budgeting

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By Zubairu Idris, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

There is a popular saying that “children are the leaders of tomorrow”.

Far from being just a feel-good statement, it underscores the fundamental truth that the future of any nation depends on how well it nurtures its youngest population.

For Katsina State, where more than 4.5 million of its estimated 9.6 million people are children, the challenge of securing that future is both urgent and complex.

Poor child health outcomes, low school enrolment, and widespread poverty continue to jeopardise the life chances of millions of children.

Recognising this, stakeholders in the state, led by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), are calling for the institutionalisation of child-sensitive budgeting and planning as a key strategy for improving child development outcomes.

At a recent media dialogue in Katsina, Mr Rahama Mohammed-Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, said investment in children was “not only a moral obligation but an economic necessity.”

“Children are not just beneficiaries of our future, they are builders of it.

“This is why we need strategic and adequately funded actions embedded in planning and budgeting systems at every level,” he said.

Notably, Child-sensitive budgeting is an approach that ensures public budgets are planned, executed, and monitored in ways that directly respond to the needs and rights of children.

It involves allocating resources to critical sectors such as education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection, and early childhood development.

Globally, countries such as South Africa, Bangladesh, and the Philippines have made notable progress in integrating child-focused indicators into budget tracking and performance systems.

These efforts are typically guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Nigeria ratified in 1991.

In Nigeria, frameworks such as the Child Rights Act (2003), and the National Policy on Children (2021), provide policy backing for child-responsive governance.

However, implementation gaps remain significant, especially at the sub-national level.

UNICEF’s latest data on Katsina reveals a sobering reality.

While government commitment has increased in recent years, outcomes for children remain among the lowest in the country.

One in six children (159 per 1,000 live births) do not survive to their fifth birthday, a stark indicator of gaps in child healthcare services.

Only 41 per cent of children are fully immunised, leaving the majority vulnerable to life-threatening but preventable diseases.

Additionally, 75.5 per cent of children are classified as multi-dimensionally poor, lacking access to healthcare, education, nutrition, and other essential services, while 61.2 per cent live in monetary poverty.

The data reveals that about one-third of children are out of school at the primary level, undermining the state’s long-term human capital and economic prospects.

In terms of nutrition, only 23.4 per cent of children aged 6–23 months receive the minimum acceptable diet, and 51.3 per cent of under-five children are stunted.

This indicates chronic malnutrition with long-term effects on physical and cognitive development.

Although budgetary allocations to sectors like education and health have increased in recent years, actual releases and utilisation remain inconsistent.

Mr AbdurRahman Abdullahi, Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Katsina, shared his thoughts.

He said budget performance tracking from 2022 to 2024 revealed that actual releases for children-focused interventions were often lower than the approved allocations.

He identified limited fiscal autonomy, weak inter-agency coordination, and revenue constraints as major hurdles hampering effective implementation.

“The mismatch between budget approval and actual release has weakened impact, especially in rural areas,” he said.

“We need timely, adequate, and transparent financing”.

In response, the Katsina State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to child-sensitive financing.

Speaking at the media dialogue, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Malik Anas, said the 2026 appropriation would reflect stronger integration of child-focused planning.

Anas was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Tijjani Umar.

“Our ministry will ensure that all MDAs provide meaningful child-centred allocations during the upcoming budget cycle,” he said.

He added that training and budget review mechanisms were being strengthened.

Gov. Dikko Radda also made commitments during the 2025 Children’s Day celebration, where he hosted orphans and children with special needs.

He pledged that his administration would continue to protect children’s rights and prioritise their welfare.

“Every child is our responsibility. We will continue to ensure that their rights to education, health, and overall well-being are fully protected.

“As a government, we are your parents and we are here to serve you.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to associate with you and give special attention.

“All children deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we will do everything within our power to make that possible,” Radda assured.

Participants at the media dialogue also stressed the crucial role of journalists in budget tracking, amplifying children’s voices, and holding leaders accountable.

Representatives of various media houses pledged to report consistently on child development indicators, funding trends, and service delivery gaps.

They also committed to translating complex budget data into compelling stories that the public can easily understand.

Equally important are the contributions of communities, religious leaders, and traditional institutions, who often serve as first responders to the needs of vulnerable children.

Stakeholders urged these groups to remain engaged and proactive in advocating for quality education, primary healthcare, child protection, and youth development at the grassroots level.

UNICEF and other development partners including Save the Children, the World Bank, and the European Union, have supported child-focused initiatives in Katsina over the years.

These initiatives include immunisation campaigns, school feeding programmes, and nutrition projects.

However, stakeholders stressed that the long-term sustainability of child-focused programmes depends largely on the ability of local governments to incorporate these priorities into their own budgeting and planning processes.

Mohammed-Farah emphasised the need to shift from reliance on donor support to increased domestic resource mobilisation.

“It’s time to move from donor dependency to domestic resource mobilisation.

“Investing in children today helps prevent higher social and economic costs in the future,” he said.

He noted investment in children’s welfare was the most strategic decision the government can make.

“It is an investment in Katsina’s future workforce. It is an investment that can break the cycle of poverty, enhance community resilience, and promote lasting peace and development,” he added.

Mohammed-Farah also warned that insufficient and poorly planned investments in children could lead to serious long-term consequences.

“Malnourished and uneducated children are less likely to become productive adults. Children without adequate protection are more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and recruitment by criminal groups,” he said.

He further explained that addressing the outcomes of neglect; such as poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and insecurity, costs far more than making early, preventive investments in child development.

“That is why we say prevention is cheaper than cure,” he noted.

In conclusion, stakeholders emphasised that child-sensitive budgeting is not merely a financial exercise but a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to protecting and improving the lives of children.

They noted that if the Katsina State Government fully implements its child-focused budget plans, it can lead to measurable improvements in child health, education, and protection.

This, they said, requires timely release of allocated funds and a strong commitment to transparency in public spending.

They further stressed that effective coordination among relevant ministries and agencies is essential to ensure that resources are used efficiently and reach the intended beneficiaries.

Such an approach, they added, would help lay a solid foundation for inclusive and sustainable development in the state. (NANFeatures)

***If used, please credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria.

 

Agency solicits lawmakers’ support for natural medicine roadmap

Agency solicits lawmakers’ support for natural medicine roadmap

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By Ijeoma Olorunfemi

The Nigeria Natural Medicines Development Agency (NNMDA) has urged the House of Representatives to make budgetary allocation for the implementation of its 36-month roadmap on prioritising natural medicines in the country.

Prof. Martins Emeje, Director-General of the NNMDA, made the call on Monday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

His call followed a recent resolution by the House of Representatives urging Nigerians to prioritise natural medicines.

Emeje, while commending the adoption of the resolution, described it as the best thing that had happened to the natural medicines ecosystem in the country in the past two decades.

“What we want from them now is the support for us to implement our road map as an agency.

“They need to put life in this resolution and make special budgetary allocation for implementation.

“We want to ensure that we have research farms where we can cultivate particular plants, rear particular animals, rear particular insects, create gardens of particular minerals, peculiar to only that environment.

“For each ward, Local Government or state, there are peculiar plants, animals and minerals that cannot be found somewhere else,’’ he told NAN.

According to him, diseases in every location have something to do with the natural constitution of that environment.

“It is the plants, animals and minerals in that community that can be explored for medicine for diseases found in that community.

“That is the reason why bitter leaves in my village may not have the vital constituents for treating diabetes, but the same bitter leaf in Ogun State, will have it.

“This is because of botanical and biological differences,” Emeje said.

Emeje said the intention was to create a one-stop health shop where natural medicines were produced in a particular community for the people.

“The House of Representatives took a resolution that says there is a need for Nigerians to promote and prioritise natural medicine.

“For the House of Representatives to make this resolution that it must become a priority, I am satisfied.

“It will be important that the appropriate committee responsible for ensuring that this kind of resolution is fully implemented will do so,” Emeje said.

According to him, the lawmakers have given the agency the weapon and the encouragement to work harder towards ensuring that Nigeria produces the natural medicine for its peculiar diseases. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

2025 budget predicated on 2m barrels crude oil production – Komolafe

2025 budget predicated on 2m barrels crude oil production – Komolafe

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the 2025 budget is predicated on 2.062 million barrels crude oil production at 75 dollars per barrel.
Nigeria’s current production is averaging 1.7 million barrels leaving a deficit of about 350,000 barrels to be bridged.
Mr Gbenga Komolafe, Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC made this known on Thursday in Abuja at the inaugural Petroleum Industry Stakeholders’ Forum organised by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
Komolafe said in order to avert the budget deficit and revenue gap, the commission inaugurated the “Project One Million Barrel per Day Incremental Production Initiative” during its third year anniversary in 2024.
This initiative, he said, entailed that every player within the upstream value chain could operate in one-stop shop economic system as against operating in silos thereby failing to leverage optimum capability and economic of scale.
He said the Commission had developed a template to identify the “Needs“ of every player within the value chain with a view to meeting the gaps arising from the needs of each player which could be met by another player.
“This is expected to create synergy, networking and leveraging on the capabilities of every player within the value chain.
“The Commission in 2024 set an agenda for the industry through the rolling out of Regulatory Action Plan (RAP) focused on regulatory predictability, future licencing rounds policy and implementation, among others.
“The Commercial Bid Conference for the 2024 Bid Round was conducted December 2024, where winning and reserve bidders emerged for each block on offer.
“The conference was conducted real-time online via technology adoption in the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Finance, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), and the General Public,” he said.
The bid round, he said, was in accordance with the provisions of Section 74 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA 2021) to ensure an open, transparent, and competitive bid process as provisioned in Section 73(1)(a) of the PIA.
He said the adoption of a real-time online Commercial Bid Conference which was the first of its kind in the nation’s over 70 years in exploration and production history was to entrench transparency and attract investor’s confidence.
He said in line with boosting Nigeria’s aspiration of becoming the energy hub of the continent, the NUPRC, through the National Data Repository (NDR) had provided a building to host the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) Headquarters in Abuja.
The gesture, he said, would fast-track the operationalisation of the bank, which would dovetail into job creation and oil and gas business financial support.
He said the upstream sector experienced growth in the national oil and gas reserves by 1.45 per cent and 0.206 per cent respectively in 2024.
According to Komolafe, the active rig count increased from an average of eight in 2021 to 38 currently, representing 79 per cent growth.
He said with effective collaboration with the security agencies, the theft and deferment had reduced drastically by more than 40 per cent in 2024.
Komolafe, however, lauded the ministers of state petroleum resources oil and gas for their leadership in steering the industry growth at this period when the economy is focusing on the oil sector to bridge production gap to fund the 2025 budget.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum offers the stakeholders an opportunity for broad assessment of the industry, identifying challenges and brainstorming, with a view to proffering solutions for sustainable  development in the sector. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
2025 budget and Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

2025 budget and Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda

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By Kadiri Abdulrahman, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 budget proposal titled “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity” to the joint session of the National Assembly on Dec. 18, 2024.

While presenting the N49.7 trillion budget proposal, Tinubu said that it aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and underscores its commitment to stabilising the economy, fostering peace, and laying a foundation for sustainable prosperity.

He said that the budget proposal reinforced his administration’s roadmap to secure peace, prosperity, and hope for a greater future for the nation.

“This budget strikes at the very core of our Renewed Hope Agenda and demonstrates our commitment to stabilising the economy, improving lives, and repositioning our country for greater performance,” Tinubu said.

Stakeholders are, however, divided about the practicability of the budget proposal.

A financial expert, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, said that the budget reflected its title, with the lion shares going to defence and security (N4.91 trillion), infrastructure (N4.06 trillion), education (N3.52 trillion) and health (N2.48 trillion).

Uwaleke, of the Institute of Capital Market Studies at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, said the budget projected that inflation would moderate to 15 per cent in 2025, while the Naira would appreciate to N1,400 per U. S. dollar.

According to him, the projection is on the back of expected reduction in importation of petroleum products.

“This is alongside increased export of finished petroleum products, bumper harvests enabled by enhanced security, as well as increased foreign exchange inflows,” he said.

He, however, expressed concern that the 2025 budget may witness a high level of off-budget funds, thereby masking the true picture of government fiscal position.

He said that recurrent (non-debt) spending made provision of N846 billion for the new minimum wage related adjustments.

He said that it was doubtful if that amount would be sufficient to accommodate the attendant bailouts to sub-nationals by the Federal Government in support of the implementation of the new minimum wage.

“These potential off-budget funds are capable of undermining government’s plan to progressively reduce deficits and borrowings over the medium term.

“For the 2025 budget not to run into a major hitch, it is important that as much as possible, all claims on public financial resources are identified and reconciled within the framework of the budget,” he said.

The expert also raised concern about financing of the N13.4 trillion deficit, in which asset sale and privatisation proceeds would contribute N312 billion, while N3.8 trillion represents multilateral/bilateral project-tied loans.

He said that the bulk of the borrowings (N9.3 trillion) would be largely discretionary and non-project tied.

“In order not to compound the already huge debt burden the country is facing, every effort should be made to ensure that all long-term funds sourced from the debt capital market are tied to self-liquidating projects.

“The budget breakdown contained in the executive proposal is meant to provide the nuts and bolts that will facilitate budget implementation and control.

“Besides the concern which the financing of the deficit raises, there are equally other weighty issues that deserve careful scrutiny by the National Assembly.

“For example, a thorough review of the line items that make up service wide votes and capital supplementation can free-up significant funds that can be channelled to other critical areas such as agriculture and solid minerals,” he said.

He urged the National Assembly to interrogate the composition and rationale for the margin for increase in costs and recurrent adjustment (N12 billion) as well as the line item tagged “contingency recurrent” (N36 billion).

” Curiously, the same figures appeared under service wide votes in 2024. Equally, under capital supplementation is a line item known as “contingency capital” (N200 billion), which also featured in 2024 budget for same amount,” he said.

The Nigerian Economic Society (NES) said that the N47.9 trillion 2025 budget was the lowest the country has had since 2018 in dollar terms.

According to Adeola Adenikinju, President of NES, though the budget is at a record high in Naira terms, the effect of Naira devaluation has shrunk its value when converted to the U.S. dollars.

“In nominal terms, the 2025 budget is the biggest Naira value budget in Nigeria’s history. However, in terms of real purchasing power, this budget is the lowest since 2018,”  he said.

Adenikinju said that the benchmark exchange rate of N1,400 though ambitious, is considered not fully grounded in the potential fiscal and monetary expectations in 2025 and deviates from major expert projections.

He said that using this benchmark may require alternative supply sources of high and more stable forex earnings for building high external reserve stocks.

An economist, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, said that the pegging of the budget on an exchange rate of N1,400 to dollar would dampen the optimism of Nigerians.

He said that the dollar exchange rate can get lower as the year progresses and the effect of some reforms begin to surface.

“Nigerians are still thinking that probably that rate can still come lower than N1,400, maybe N1,000.

“There is a problem with that projection because you are dampening our hope of a reduction in the exchange rate,” he said.

A policy analyst, Basil Abia, said that the projections of the 2025 budget proposal were unrealistic.

Abia said that it was only with a higher crude oil production above the current rate that the reduction of inflation to 15 per cent in 2025 could be possible.

“Now, if you say you want to do 15 per cent headline inflation rate on aggregate for 2025, you have to be able to show us that you are going to realistically drop down the core drivers, reduce their efficacy, and their frequency.

“Unfortunately, you cannot do 15 per cent headline inflation rate when you are producing less than two million barrels per day,” he said.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said that improved tax-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio, would help to meet the ambitious N34.82 trillion revenue projection in the budget.

The LCCI Director-General, Dr Chinyere Almona, said that accelerating tax reforms, simplifying processes, and incorporating the informal sector were crucial.

She said that the country must leverage technology to expand the tax net, minimise leakages, and foster fiscal discipline.

“Fiscal discipline must complement these efforts to effectively manage the N15.81 trillion debt servicing allocation.

“Nigeria must prioritise high-impact, self-sustaining projects and explore alternative funding mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, to keep debts within sustainable limits.

“Structural reforms are indispensable to reducing inflation to 15 per cent and stabilising the exchange rate at N1,400 to the dollar,” she said.

She said that addressing food and energy supply chain bottlenecks, fast-tracking local petroleum production projects, and fostering alignment between monetary and fiscal policies would restore confidence in the Naira and ease inflationary pressures.

“Achieving the ambitious oil production target of 2.06 million barrels daily requires decisive action to resolve pipeline vandalism, theft, and underinvestment.

“Across the three streams of operations in the oil and gas industry, a sound regulatory environment can boost activities and investments in the short term,”she said.

Almona lauded Tinubu’s attention to security, infrastructure, education, health, and agriculture to achieve macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth.

She said that the allocation of N4.91 trillion for defence was commendable compared to previous allocations.

She, however, said that the funding must be complemented with enhanced intelligence, surveillance technology, and simultaneous investment in poverty reduction and youth empowerment.

Almona said that the N4.06 trillion earmarked for infrastructure and significant allocations to education and health called for swift and transparent project execution.

According to her, while the budget outlines bold goals, these aspirations hinge on robust policy implementation, sustained execution, and coherence across government strategies.

“Beyond the figures and assumptions, budget implementation is the key performance driver.

“The 2024 budget implementation cycle extension to June 2025 should be closely watched to avoid such in the future as it can signal weak budget execution.

“We call on the National Assembly to expedite action on the appropriation debates,” she said.

As most Nigerians await the passage and operationalisation of the 2025 budget, they remain hopeful that it will effectively address rising inflation and moderate the prices of basic goods and services in the interest of the masses.

Stakeholders, however, said that a major snag to a thorough interrogation of the appropriation bill is its late presentation to the National Assembly.

They urged the lawmakers to properly scrutinise the contents of the appropriation bill before it is passed to ensure that it effectively address the yearnings of Nigerians. (NANFeatures)

**If used, credit the writer and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Association seeks higher budget for visually impaired education materials

Association seeks higher budget for visually impaired education materials

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By Justina Auta

The Nigerian Association of the Blind (NAB) has called for increased budgetary allocation to improve access to information and education materials for visually-impaired persons, in line with the Marakesh Treaty.

The association made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting on the status of the implementation of the Marakesh Treaty in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Marrakesh Treaty was adopted on June 27, 2013 in Marrakesh, Morocco, to form part of the international copyright treaties administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

The goal of the treaty is to create a set of mandatory limitations and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired, and otherwise print

disabled (VIPs).

It is also to ensure that books are made available globally in accessible formats, such as Braille, audio and large print, and DAISY1 formats, as well as facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise print disabled.

The former President of NAB, Dr Ishaku Adamu, therefore, explained that the treaty is an agreement signed by the Federal Government to improve access to published works for people with print disabilities.

Adamu added that the treaty seeks to remove all legislative barriers that prevent access to those materials, whether across national and

international borders, which Nigeria has domesticated and ratified.

He, however, said that less than one per cent of national budget was allocated for the provision of accessible education materials for visually impaired students.

According to him, poor implementation of the treaty has further affected access to education, level of participation and exclusion from information for visually impaired persons.

He said “we should be able to engage these agencies to set aside certain percentage of their budget, Federal Ministry of Education and other key ministries to ensure that those books are being provided in accessible format.

“Less than one per cent of such materials is accessible to our people, affecting the level of our education, the level of our participation and other things.

“So, it is very critical for us to engage because we know that government is budgeting, but we want to know what they can do to ensure our people have access to these materials.”

He said the stakeholders meeting was to strategise on improved access to information not only in braille, but also in soft copy, audio, large print and other version, media space, as well as employment opportunities for visually impaired persons.

Earlier, the NAB President, Mr Stanley Onyebuchi, said the engagement would enable stakeholders to review the implementation of the Marakesh treaty and proffer action plans that would enhance implementation.

Onyebuchi said “this treaty is key to those of us that are print disabled, that is those of us that are blind to access publications that will enhance our education, research and others.”

On the implementation of the treaty, he said “I don’t think Nigeria has gone far in implementing this treaty because some of the websites of many organisations, even the government agencies, are not even accessible.

“Although the Nigerian Copyright Commission has done a lot and has been part of this struggle for the domestication of this treaty in Nigeria, other government agencies have not done much in that regard.”

Also, Mr Abdrahman Auwal, the National PRO of NBA, stressed the need to create awareness about the importance of the treaty.

He said “a lot of people don’t even know about it, so, a lot of publishers are there and still stick to their previous copyright law, not knowing that it has been amended.

“We need the media to propagate this in the news to stimulate questions and people will learn about it, which will all be transformed.”

Dr David Okon, a resource person and Consultant, said the meeting was to ensure full implementation of the treaty for the benefit of persons with reading disabilities.

Okon, who is the Executive Director, Total Inclusion, an NGO said “knowledge is acquired through information. And if we are not going to be informed, we are deprived of information, then it means we are deprived of knowledge.

“It also means that we are deprived of literacy and the power to make wealth, power to recreate ourselves and other things.”

NAN reports that in attendance at the stakeholders meeting were representatives of various disability groups, NGOs, CSOs, among others, to suggest ways toward full implementation of the Marakesh Treaty.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Niger assembly passes 2025 budget of N1.5trn for assent

Niger assembly passes 2025 budget of N1.5trn for assent

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By Rita Iliya

The Niger House of Assembly has passed the 2025 budget estimate of N1.5trillion to the governor for assent.

 

Zubairu Ismaila, Chairman, House Committee on Planning and Appropriation, presented the report during plenary in Minna on Thursday.

 

Ismaila said that the committee made some adjustments to the budget to ensure balance and priority of government and the people.

 

He said that the adjustments did not affect the overall budget size, but rather re-allocated funds to various sectors.

 

He said the committee observed that the submission of the budget was late, resulting in hasty scrutiny to ensure speedy passage.

 

He urged the executive arm to submit the budget to the legislature at least three months before the end of the year for proper scrutiny and timely passage.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Umaru Bago presented the proposal to the House on Dec. 12. (NAN)

Edited by Joe Idika

Integrating gender response into Kaduna State education budget

Integrating gender response into Kaduna State education budget

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By Aisha Gambo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Education is catalyst to social, economic and national development. To achieve their potential, governments at all levels are encouraged investments in the sector.

Investment in education has the potential enhance access to quality teaching and learning process for upcoming generations and boost enrolment.

Such investment should not only be in the form of infrastructure but also instructional materials and capacity building for teaching and non-teaching.

This stimulates a safe environment and provides equal opportunities for girls and boys to be empowered and educated.

These equip them with the necessary skills realise their full potential and contribute to societal development.

However, some cultural and societal norms in Nigeria prioritise the education of boys over girls.

This has resulted to gender disparities in education attainment as girls face other barrier to access and complete their education.

According to UNICEF 7.6 million girls are Out Of School in Nigeria while 3.9 million at the primary and 3.7 million at the junior secondary level.

UNICEF further said that 48 per cent of OOS girls are in the northwest and northeast.

A survey by Kaduna State Bureau of Statistics in 2020 shows that 31.1 per cent of children within the primary school age are out of school, adding that 31.9 per cent of children within the junior secondary school age are out of school in the state.

However, the survey also revealed that the distribution of out-of-school cases in the state consist of 63.7 per cent male and 36.3 per cent female.

Government interventions in enhancing gender responsive education. 

Over the years the Kaduna state government has increased budgetary allocation to education sector to reinvigorate basic and post basic levels to enhance access to free and quality for all.

For instance, the state government earmarked N26. 2 billion for Education in 2024 approved budget.

The sum of N12.5 billion was allocated to the ministry of education; N2.7 billion to State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB)while the remaining N11 billion was shared among the state-owned tertiary institutions; schools quality assurance authority and library board.

The state also developed a 10-year Education Sector Plan (ESP) named Kaduna State 2019 – 2029 Education Sector Strategic Plan.

It is a comprehensive and strategic framework developed with support of development partners to guide planning, implementation and evaluation of education policies and programmes.

UNICEF says achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 which is inclusive and equitable quality education for all, a Gender-responsive Education Sector Planning (GRESP) is essential.

This is because GRESP is a holistic approach to advancing gender equality in and through education, including learning and learning environments, teacher education and practice, curriculum and administration among others.

To advance gender equality in education, education systems need to be gender responsive by design which include funding of girl child education.

At the Kaduna State ministry of education, an exclusive department for gender ,now female education was created to tackle issues related to girl child education.

Each year, the department is funded to execute gender related programmes such as second chance education, sensitisation on gender based violence, creation of water and sanitation facilities in schools among others.

The director of planning in the ministry, Salisu Baba-Lawal, said that government prioritises gender equality and social inclusion as such has allocated a large sum of money to achieve it.

“We have provisions for gender in our annual budget which fund gender related projects.

” In 2021, a sum of N7 million was allocated to gender, N4 million was budgeted for the year 2022, N5 million allocated in 2023 and in 2024 , N12 million was allocated to female education”, he said.

Following the money

For many years, the gender department in the Kaduna State ministry of education has been conducting activities that address challenges of both girls.

But with the recent review in 2024, which changed the department’s name to female education it now prioritises female education.

However, that doesn’t stop it from conducting activities or projects that would benefit the male gender.

Though a detailed breakdown of the budget expenditures were not made available, the department explained the programmes and projects they conducted.

The Deputy Director, Female Education, Hajiya Aishatu Muhammad, that explained that the ministry had provided second chance for girls who dropped out of school due to early marriage or pregnancy.

She said that school uniforms, socks and sandals were provided for the girls while teachers were paid stipends for staying over time as most classes were done in the afternoon.

Another project the ministry was to provide Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools with boys and girls having separate toilets to ease themselves during school hours.

Abdullahi said the ministry with the support from World Bank’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project built toilets and boreholes making the school environment conducive for the girl child.

“It may interest you to know that, the ministry of education in collaboration with AGILE, nominated amongst the existing staff we have in the school ,a  Gender Based Violence (GBV) focal person.

“We even have a Grievance Response Mechanism (GRM)   officer and we have a suggestion box in the schools to serve as a channel for reporting incidents”, she said.

Abdullahi, who doubles as the AGILE focal person, said that since the implementation of the project, the enrolment, retention and completion of female students has increased as they now feel more comfortable learning.

Parents, expert call for improvement

Malama Hajara Abubakar, a widow and a mother of four girls, recounts her struggle in ensuring her children get an education.

“Their father died when three of them were in junior secondary school; I had to do menial jobs to get them learning materials and pay other expenses the schools may request even though it’s a public school.

“But when they completed their SS 3 I couldn’t afford to pay for their exams, so I married them off; I wanted them to further their education but couldn’t.

“So when my youngest daughter completed SS3, I raised N10, 000 and pleaded with my neighbour who was a head a teacher in a private school to assist me and she did.

“Now that girl is working and taking care of me ‘, she said.

Abubakar says there are many parents like her who cannot afford to pay for their children’s final exams, and urged governments to look into the matter.

In spite government’s effort to provide free and quality education to children and return out of school children to schools to school, some education experts say there is still need for improvement.

Hadiza Umar, founder of communication for children and international development, while commending Kaduna State Government’s effort in address gender parity in schools said there was need for gender related programmes and policies to be scaled up.

She also said some of the programmes like the second chance education, sexual health reproductive awareness campaign among others should cut across all the schools in the state.

Umar says giving free education to girls but leaving them to pay for their senior secondary school exams would not achieve the desired results.

“Government should focus on paying for SSCE and JAMB because most of them can’t move forward and can’t get certificates to continue to even get a job.

“They cannot get admission and are unable a job that can help them generate some funds and further her education’’, she said.

While some experts advocate payment of Senior Secondary School exams fees, others demand effective monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of gender programmes.

Dr Hassana Shuaibu, Senior programme Officer, Ace Charity, says a breakdown on the expenditure of the female education budget should be available to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation.

She reiterated the need for an education sector plan that is gender responsive and the importance of funding of GRESP as well as transparency and accountability of the education budgeting. (NANFeatures)

**If used please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria**

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