The Katsina State Government and UNICEF have agreed to establish a multi-stakeholder approach to the proposed Universal Child Benefit (UCB), aimed at reducing child malnutrition, out-of-school rates and household food insecurity while strengthening social protection across the state.
A statement signed by Ibrahim kaula Mohammad chief press secretary to the Governor, said the agreement was reached when Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, received a UNICEF delegation led by the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Shafeeq UrRehman, at Government House, Katsina.
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Other members of the delegation were Moses Muse Sichei, Chief of Social Policy, Abuja; Nemat Hajeebhoy, Chief of Nutrition, Abuja; Karanveer Singh, Nutrition Manager, Kano Field Office; and Fatimah Musa Muhammad, Social Policy Specialist, Kano Field Office.
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Discussions explored integrated interventions combining cash support for vulnerable households, backyard farming, agricultural value-chain development, back-to-school initiatives and other social protection models. The proposed approach seeks to address the root causes of malnutrition and child vulnerability through sustainable, household-centred solutions.
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The UNICEF delegation commended the state government’s sustained commitment and increased investment in child health over the past three years, describing Katsina as a model for child-centred programming.
Both parties agreed to set up a technical working group to develop an implementation framework and financing model for the scheme.
