By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
A powerful delegation from the EU in Abuja, together with UNICEF, UNFPA, ILO, and partners: Plan International Nigeria, Action Against Hunger Nigeria (ACF Nigeria), CARE, and Danish Refugee Council (DRC), has concluded mission to Sokoto State with reaffirment of a shared commitment to strengthening systems that support children, women, adolescents, and vulnerable families.
While interacting with the State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, he reassured the delegation of his determination to deliver essential services to Sokoto communities. “Our administration is committed to practical solutions that uplift our people—consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda and our state priorities,” the Governor said. “We will continue to prioritise the well-being of women, children, and vulnerable families and to work with partners to sustain results.”
The mission which provided an opportunity for the EU delegation, Sokoto State Government and partners to observe progress across EU-supported initiatives in schools, primary health care facilities, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, and community-based services, was discribed by the people of Sokoto as a welcome development.
Giving his assessment of the visit, Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, who led the mission, said, “This visit has shown how critical it is to invest in systems that protect and empower people—especially children and young people. The EU remains committed to supporting Sokoto State in ensuring inclusive development that leaves no one behind.”
At schools and community sites, the delegation saw how safe learning environments, teacher support, and community engagements are helping children access inclusive education. Speaking to UNICEF’s role, the UNICEF Deputy Representative Programme, Rownak Khan, said, “UNICEF’s mandate is to support realising the rights and wellbeing of every child—and to support women, families, and communities who care for and guide them. In Sokoto, that means strengthening education, primary health care, and adolescent services through EU-supported programme for health and education and helping families withstand shocks through social protection so that children not only survive but thrive.”
Strategic importance of the visit also include the presentation of a new tool by government and its partners to capture all dimensions of poverty into the National Social Register as part of the EU-funded “Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI)” programme. With $14 million from the EU, SUSI will improve social protection policy and budget and help create a social registry in Sokoto that focuses on children and families in need, including those without birth registration or NIN, out-of-school children, families facing malnutrition, and those with limited access to primary health care.
Emphasising the systems dimension of SUSI, the ILO Country Director noted, “Sustainable social protection requires strong institutions, clear policy, and coordinated financing. Through advancing program-based budgeting and an interoperable social registry, Sokoto can better identify need and deliver support where it matters most.”
At primary health facilities, the EU delegation and partners observed efforts to make services more adolescent-friendly and gender responsive. The UNFPA Nigeria Resident Representative said, ‘Women and adolescents must be able to access quality, respectful care close to home. The dedication of frontline healthcare providers in Sokoto shows what is possible when we invest in the people and use data to reach the most vulnerable communities.”
On why community organisations are central to sustaining progress, the CARE Nigeria Country Director remarked, “Communities are the engine of lasting change. We remain committed to approaches that strengthen local leadership and accountability, ensuring that
services reach those who need them most.”
Partners working on education highlighted the importance of safe, supportive learning environments. Plan International Nigeria’s Country Director said, ‘Every child deserves a safe, supportive place to learn. Together with government and communities, we are working to make that a reality for girls and boys across the state.’
For displacement-affected families and host communities, inclusive and climate-smart solutions remain essential. The DRC Country Director added, “Displaced families need pathways to rebuild with dignity. Coordinated and community-driven responses are key to resilience and recovery.”
ACF Nigeria’s Country Director said, “The conflict and insecurity, climate change, and natural disasters have severely faded vulnerable Nigerians’ ability at all levels to cope and thrive. These collective efforts strengthen our shared commitment to supporting affected communities and the Nigerian government in advancing its strategies to end hunger and malnutrition for the well-being of the Nigerian people.”
The mission renewed joint commitment to support Sokoto State in achieving social and economic development.
