In a major push against severe acute malnutrition, the Katsina State Government has committed to providing a N1.2 billion allocation in its upcoming 2027 budget to leverage matching resources from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
​The announcement made on Wednesday, 12 August, followed a key diplomatic engagement at the Government House in Katsina, where representatives from UNICEF met with state leadership to solidify long-term strategy for maternal and child healthcare.
​Under the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) framework, state investments are matched 1:1 by UNICEF, effectively turning the proposed N1.2 billion outlay into a N2.4 billion total war chest.
​Speaking during the high-level visit, Mr. Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, Chief of the UNICEF Field Office in Kano, detailed how these joint funds directly save lives; Through Procuring Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), ensuring a steady supply chain to treat thousands of children suffering from severe wasting.
Through Expanding Micronutrient Access: Distributing Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) to pregnant and breastfeeding women to combat widespread anemia and Strengthening Local Facilities: Outfitting stabilization centers and outpatient therapeutic sites across vulnerable communities.
​”Katsina has consistently set an example in fiscal commitment to child health,” Ur-Rehman said. “By securing this fund in the 2027 budget, we double our capacity to safeguard the state’s most vulnerable children.”
​The strategic alliance also positions Katsina at the forefront of international health research. The state was selected as one of only five worldwide destinations to host a global pilot of revised World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for managing severe wasting. The rollout is actively taking place across 10 targeted Local Government Areas (LGAs).
​Additionally, Katsina holds the distinction of being the first Nigerian state to fund a N270 million Rapid SMART/SMART+ survey, generating real-time data to deploy medical interventions directly to high-risk zones.
​Accepting the proposal, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda confirmed his administration will integrate the N1.2 billion demand into the 2027 financial planning, while immediately unlocking N500 million in counterpart funds to support the current funding cycle.
​”Investing in child health is investing in the future of Katsina State,” Governor Radda stated. “Our partnership with UNICEF is delivering measurable results on the ground, and we will continue prioritizing funds that directly impact our people’s well-being.”
