By JB Danlami
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has convened a two-day 2025 End-Year Review and 2026/27 Annual Work Planning Meeting for education stakeholders in Kaduna, bringing together representatives from the Ministries of Education and State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs)
The meeting is designed to review the implementation of UNICEF-supported education programmes in 2025 and jointly develop a strategic work plan for 2026–2027, aligned with national and global education priorities.
Speaking during the opening session, UNICEF Education Specialist, Mr. Muttaka Mukthar, explained that the meeting aims to review the 2025 implementation results and reflect on key challenges, scalability, sustainability, good practices, and lessons learned in programme implementations.
He added that participants will also draft the 2026–2027 work plan informed by the updated Situation Analysis and state government education priorities within the context of the national educational agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education.
“Furthermore, the meeting will discuss major shifts in programme implementation going forward, set strategic priorities for both programming and advocacy, and agree on the monitoring and reporting framework” he added
Mr. Muhammad noted that the review provides an opportunity for all education actors to assess progress made in 2025 and strengthen coordination toward achieving better learning outcomes.
“This platform allows us to reflect on what has worked well, what challenges persist, and how we can improve planning and accountability in the years ahead. Our collective goal remains to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has access to quality and inclusive education,” he stated.
In his remarks, UNICEF Senior Education Manager, Mr. Michael Banda, commended the participating states for their active engagement and commitment to improving education delivery systems.
“The achievements recorded in 2025 are the result of shared commitment and state leadership. As we plan for 2026/27, we must focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusiveness, ensuring that our interventions deliver lasting impact,” said Mr. Banda.
Mr. Banda added that UNICEF would continue to partner with all education stakeholders to reduce the number of Out-of-School Children (OOSC) through both formal and non-formal education interventions. He noted that during the year, many children were successfully enrolled in schools through enrolment drive campaigns conducted with the support of the Ministries of Education, SUBEBs, and other key partners.
He further stated that, despite the combined efforts of government and partners, some challenges remain persistent, including out-of-school children, learning poverty, insecurity, and gender gaps, among others.
The meeting also featured remarks from key state representatives, including Hajiya Amina Umar, Secretary of Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), who expressed appreciation to UNICEF for its continuous technical and financial support in enhancing basic education delivery across the state.
Similarly, Ummul Khair Ahmad, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic Education, Katsina State, who was represented by Fatima Yakubu, Assistant Director Research, commended UNICEF for its partnership with the state government and reiterated Katsina’s commitment to strengthening foundational learning and inclusive education.
On his part, Baffa Abubakar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic Education, Jigawa State, highlighted the significant progress made under the 2025 work plan and assured continued collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners to sustain education reforms in the state.
Other participants at the meeting included representatives of the State Agencies for Mass Education (SAME), the Qur’anic and Islamiyya Schools Management Boards, and School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), who play vital roles in promoting inclusive and equitable education across communities.
The two-day session, running from October 29–30, 2025, is expected to conclude with an agreed framework for monitoring, reporting, and aligning education programs with national and global standards under UNICEF’s “Education for Every Child” initiative
