Kaduna State Reaffirms Commitment to Child Rights on Day of the African Child

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna 

Kaduna State has restated its commitment to protecting and promoting the rights of children through targeted planning and budgeting, as the world marks the Day of the African Child.

At a press conference held on Monday, the Honorable Commissioner of the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission, Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed Monrovia, reflected on the progress made since 2010 under the theme: “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010.”

The annual observance, rooted in the memory of the 1976 Soweto uprising where South African students protested apartheid-era education policies, has become a rallying point to evaluate the welfare of children across the continent.

Hon. Monrovia emphasized that the day serves as “a moment of solemn remembrance and renewed commitment to Africa’s children.”

According to the Commissioner, Kaduna State has made notable strides in aligning its development agenda with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

He stated that education and health sectors consistently account for a significant share of the state’s budget, with targeted efforts that go beyond infrastructure and reach directly into the lives of children.

He highlighted the school feeding programme, which provides daily meals to over 1.8 million pupils in public primary schools, thereby enhancing enrolment, retention, and nutrition.

He also spoke about the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE), which focuses on increasing access to secondary education for adolescent girls and removing socio-cultural barriers that contribute to high dropout rates.

The Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme, another key initiative, aims to bring out-of-school children back into learning through flexible, inclusive, and community-based pathways. In addition, conditional cash transfers for vulnerable households have helped keep children in school and ensure access to essential health services.

Hon. Monrovia also noted reforms in public financial management, including the adoption of programme-based budgeting that incorporates child-focused indicators, and improved internal revenue mobilization to reduce dependence on federal allocations.

He emphasized the importance of the legal and policy environment, noting the domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act and the establishment of institutional mechanisms such as the Child Protection Committee.

Despite this progress, the Commissioner acknowledged ongoing challenges. He pointed out that while allocations to child-focused sectors have increased, they still fall short of meeting the demands posed by rapid population growth. Marginalized children, especially those with disabilities, those in rural or conflict-affected areas, and orphans continue to face significant barriers to access and opportunity.

He also identified weaknesses in data systems, particularly the lack of robust, disaggregated information that would support more effective and equitable planning.

Additionally, he expressed concern about the limited opportunities for children to participate in governance and decision-making processes.

Hon. Monrovia reaffirmed Kaduna State’s commitment to doing more. He announced plans to institutionalise child-responsive budgeting across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies through legal reforms and capacity building.

He also pledged to expand budgetary allocations to education, health, and social protection, with special focus on underserved Local Government Areas.

The state, he said, will establish platforms for child participation in governance, such as youth parliaments, school-based governance clubs, and consultative town halls. 

He revealed that work is underway to enhance real-time data systems that will track outcomes in child well-being and support evidence-based planning. Furthermore, Kaduna will seek stronger partnerships with development agencies to co-fund scalable child welfare programs and drive innovation in service delivery.

Calling for a united front, the Commissioner urged government agencies to strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration.

He appealed to civil society organizations to hold the government accountable while complementing its efforts. Traditional and religious leaders, he said, must continue to champion the rights of every child, while parents and caregivers must commit to nurturing, protecting, and supporting their children.

Most significantly, he addressed children directly, encouraging them to keep dreaming, learning, and growing, reminding them that they are not just the leaders of tomorrow but also partners in today’s development journey.

Hon. Monrovia called on all stakeholders to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the Soweto youth and to let the hopes of Kaduna’s children shape policies going forward.

“Let us rise from this commemoration with renewed dedication. Let the memory of Soweto inspire our actions, and let the promise of Kaduna’s children guide our policies,” he added.