From Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
Stakeholders from government, civil society, and development partners have hailed the inception of the Integrated Child Survival Advocacy at Mile (ICSA) project, expressing optimism that it will significantly reduce child mortality in Nigeria.
The project, unveiled at a high-level inception meeting in Kaduna today, aims to strengthen advocacy, community engagement, and service delivery for child health and survival across selected states.
Speaking at the inception meeting, the National Coordinator of Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunization, and Nutrition (ACOMIN), Mr. Ayo Ipinmoye, said the ICSA project is a multi-year initiative designed to address the leading causes of under-five mortality, including pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, and malnutrition.
Represented by Lovelyn Agbor-Gabriel, he said the project, which will be executed in all 23 LGAs, starting with pilot LGAs, seeks to integrate child survival interventions into primary healthcare systems, promote evidence-based policymaking, and empower communities to demand and access quality health services for children.
According to him, ACOMIN is one of the consortiums implementing the project in Kaduna State.
Mr. Ipinmoye added that the project’s key focus is on sustainable financing and policy reform, noting that, at baseline, less than 10% of the targeted Local Government Areas (LGAs) transparently release PHC operational funds.
He therefore stressed that the project aims to ensure that at least 50% of the targeted LGAs transparently release PHC operational funding (a minimum of USD 1 per under-five child) by 2027. Progress will be tracked through LGA budget release records, LHAAT accountability reports, and BUDGiT tracking, with data collected quarterly by State Technical Leads and SPOs and analyzed by the M&E firm and Project M&E Lead.
This information will be used for annual progress reports and to inform communication and decision-making.
Evidence-based policy advocacy is central to ICSA’s approach. The project will produce and disseminate six policy briefs and financing gap analyses, with progress tracked through project reports and published briefs.
High-level engagement will result in advocacy toolkits and commitment statements from state leaders in at least five states. At the same time, local accountability will be strengthened as Local Health Accountability Action Teams (LHAATs) track fund releases and publish scorecards on MNCH commodities across at least 50% of LGAs.
In her remarks, Kaduna State Commissioner of Health Hajiya Umma K. Ahmed described ICSA as “a timely and strategic intervention that aligns with Kaduna State’s commitment to ending preventable child deaths.”
Represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Jeremiah Daikwo, the Commissioner noted that the project’s integrated approach will help bridge service delivery gaps and ensure that no child is left behind.
Similarly, the Chairman of Zangon Kataf LGA (Engr.) Bege Joseph Gaiya commended the consortium’s collaborative model, emphasizing that strong partnerships and community-driven advocacy are key to achieving sustainable reductions in child mortality.
Community and religious group leaders present at the event expressed hope that ICSA will bring much-needed attention and resources to their localities, especially in hard-to-reach areas where child health indicators remain poor.
The project is implemented by a consortium of leading health and development organizations, including:
As the project takes off, stakeholders remain united in their belief that with sustained advocacy, improved health systems, and community empowerment, Nigeria can turn the tide on child mortality and secure a healthier future for its youngest citizens.
