UNICEF Calls on State Assemblies to Prioritize Children in Budget Planning and Fund Releases

UNICEF has urged state Houses of Assembly to prioritize children's interests throughout state planning, federal budget preparation, and fund disbursement.

During a Capacity Building Workshop on Public Financing Mechanisms in Kano on Tuesday, organized by UNICEF and partners, Chief Social Policy Specialist Isaac Otarbor stated that the objective was to increase resource allocation to children at all government levels.

“We want to see more resources directed toward children, from state planning through federal budget preparation and national planning,” he said.

He added that releases for education, health, and nutrition must be safeguarded to ensure children's interests are considered at both state and federal levels.

He identified education, health, malnutrition, and child protection as sectors that should be protected in budget processes, emphasizing that budget preparation and fund releases must reflect children's needs to achieve tangible impact.

He added, “We are keen to ensure that children's interests are addressed in budget preparation and fund releases. We want to see children attend school and experience reduced poverty.”

He noted that child poverty in Nigeria remains multidimensional and severe, but affirmed UNICEF's commitment to collaborate with lawmakers to reduce it through appropriate financing and accountability.

The workshop, tailored for members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, aimed to equip them with tools to monitor and influence public spending on children.

Professor Olumide Ayodele, a facilitator, explained that the workshop was intended to deepen the members' understanding of public financial management principles and practices.

He added that the training would strengthen members' grasp of budgeting, fund tracking, and oversight processes essential for effective legislative responsibility.

He further said the session would enhance the role of state assembly members in ensuring accountability, transparency, effectiveness, and efficiency in the use of public funds, thereby improving service delivery to Kaduna residents.

Shehu Musa, Chairman of the Kaduna State House Committee on Appropriation, described the workshop as timely, noting that it would equip lawmakers with knowledge to allocate scarce resources more effectively in future budgets.

He said the training arrived at an opport