Day of the African Child: Kaduna to Establish Child Participation Platforms
By:Femi Mustapha
As Kaduna State joined the rest of the world in celebrating the Day of the African Child, the State Government announced plans to establish Child Participation Platforms to enhance children’s involvement in decision-making.
This announcement was made by the State Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed Monrovia, during a press conference held in Kaduna as part of the activities marking the 2025 Day of the African Child held in Kaduna on Monday 16th June 2025.
According to Hon. Monrovia, the platforms will comprise youth parliaments, school-based governance clubs, and consultative town halls.
He also revealed that the State is working towards institutionalizing Child-Responsive Budgeting across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) through legal reforms, capacity building, and increased budget allocations in education, health, and social protection, particularly in underserved local government areas (LGAs).
The Commissioner emphasized that the 2025 theme, “Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights: Progress Since 2010,” challenges states to assess how effectively they have prioritized children’s needs in governance and public finance. “It also provides an opportunity to identify gaps and chart a stronger course forward,” he stated.
He highlighted the State’s significant efforts in aligning with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) to ensure that children’s needs are central to development policies and budget allocations. Notable achievements in this area include:
“Increased Investment in Education and Health:The education and health sectors consistently receive a substantial portion of the state budget, with particular focus on basic education, maternal and child healthcare, and nutrition.
“Implementation of High-Impact Child-Focused Initiatives: School Feeding Programme:Over 1.8 million pupils in public primary schools receive daily meals, which enhances enrollment, retention, and nutrition.
“AGILE (Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment): This initiative aims to improve access to secondary education for adolescent girls, reduce dropout rates, and eliminate socio-cultural barriers.
“BESDA (Better Education Service Delivery for All): This program targets out-of-school children by providing flexible, inclusive, and community-based learning pathways.
“Cash Transfers and Social Protection: Conditional cash transfers are provided to vulnerable households to ensure that children remain in school and have access to health services.
“Strengthened Public Financial Management: Adoption of program-based budgeting with child-focused indicators.
“Improved revenue mobilization to decrease dependence on federal allocations. Legal and Policy Frameworks: Domestication and implementation of the Child Rights Act. Establishment of institutional frameworks like the Child Protection Committee.”⁹
The Commissioner encouraged parents and caregivers to nurture, protect, and support their children. “And most importantly, to our children: continue dreaming, learning, and growing. You are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are our partners today,” he concluded.
