Kaduna, NGF mobilize Northwest states for ‘Ready by Five’ early childhood initiative

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Delegations from across the Northwest region gathered in Kaduna for a three-day zonal consultation hosted by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the World Bank to advance the national “Ready by Five” Early Childhood Development (ECD) framework.
The initiative focuses on integrating health, nutrition, early learning, and responsive caregiving for children from pregnancy through age five.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Ahmed Mukhtar Monrovia, stated that the workshop’s outcomes will directly inform the state’s 2027 budget and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
Framing early intervention as an economic necessity, Monrovia noted that early investments prevent costly health, educational, and security crises later in life.
Organizers highlighted that high-quality early childhood programs yield a return of $7 to $12 for every $1 invested by improving long-term health, educational outcomes, and workforce productivity.
NGF Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunus Tanko Abdullahi, emphasized that early childhood development forms the core foundation of human capital development, which is critical for evaluating long-term public infrastructure investments.
Addressing regional challenges—including high stunting rates, out-of-school children, and conflict-driven displacement public health experts at the summit advocated for targeted ward-level interventions, including assigning a “Single Responsible Worker” at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCDE) centers.
Convened by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the World Bank, the NGF, and the Human Capital Development Program, the workshop runs through August 14.
Participating states will conclude the event by signing state-specific action plans tailored to their respective fiscal capacities.