Nigeria Puts Children at Heart of New Five-Year Development Plan
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has announced that the forthcoming National Development Plan (NDP) 2026–2030 will place the rights and welfare of children at the center of Nigeria’s economic strategy.
The Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, made this disclosure during the FGN/UNICEF annual partners meeting in Abuja on Friday.
She noted that with technical support from UNICEF, the ministry has reached critical milestones that improve the ministry’s ability to plan, fund, and execute programmes specifically designed to benefit children nationwide.
According to a statement from the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Julie Osagie-Jacobs, the Minister noted that the new development plan treats investments in the younger generation as a strategic economic necessity rather than just a social duty. This approach aims to weave child-focused goals directly into national budgets and sectoral performance metrics.
“We envision a Nigeria where every child, regardless of birthplace, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We are building a $1 trillion economy driven by the talent and productivity of all Nigerians, including the youngest and most vulnerable,” the Minister stated.
Beyond the NDP, the Minister pointed to the introduction of a revised National Social Protection Policy, which follows the recent launch of the Nutrition 774 Initiative. This policy creates a structured path to lower poverty levels, fortify social safety nets, and boost the financial management capabilities of state governments.
Supporting this vision, the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, spoke on the importance of focusing on the most at-risk populations. She called for greater efficiency in how resources are used and a move away from unsustainable investment models. Addressing the youth directly, she described them as essential partners who possess the power to shape the nation’s future.
Providing a progress report on existing projects, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Deborah Odoh, pointed to the successes of the Nutrition and WASH Convergence Programme. Launched in 2025, the joint initiative with UNICEF combines water, sanitation, and education efforts across 200 communities.
Dr. Odoh noted that early data shows a 15 percent drop in open defecation and a visible rise in school attendance for girls in these areas. She also mentioned that the 2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey has been completed, providing the necessary data to guide the child-focused targets of the upcoming five-year plan.
“The Renewed Hope Medium-Term National Development Plan 2026–2030 offers a robust framework aligning the activities of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies with the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, with child welfare outcomes as key performance benchmarks,” Dr. Odoh said.
Earlier in the session, the Director of the International Cooperation Department, Samson Ebimaro, represented by Deputy Director Yakubu Abdullahi, described the relationship between the Ministry and UNICEF as a deep-rooted alliance built on the dignity and wellbeing of every Nigerian child. He noted that the meeting serves as a vital platform to solidify this cooperation and ensure that national progress is felt by the country’s youngest citizens.
