A high-level European Union (EU) delegation, accompanied by United Nations agencies and development partners, has completed a mission to Sokoto State, reaffirming its dedication to strengthening the EU–Sokoto partnership in support of women, children, adolescents, and vulnerable families.
The team, which included representatives from UNICEF, UNFPA, ILO, Plan International Nigeria, Action Against Hunger Nigeria (ACF Nigeria), CARE, and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), expressed a shared commitment to building systems that protect and empower vulnerable populations across the state.
During the visit, the delegation held a courtesy meeting with the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr Ahmed Aliyu, who reiterated the state government’s pledge to deliver essential services to 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.” he added.
The visit offered the EU delegation, the Sokoto State Government, and partners the chance to assess progress across EU-supported projects in schools, primary healthcare facilities, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, and community services.
Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU, 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 team observed how safe learning environments, teacher support, and community engagement are helping children access inclusive education.
Speaking on UNICEF’s role, UNICEF Deputy Representative Program, Rownak Khan, stated, “UNICEF’s mandate is to support realising the rights and well-being of every child, and to support women, families, and communities who care for and guide them. In Sokoto, that means strengthening education, primary healthcare, and adolescent services through EU-supported programmes for health and education and helping families withstand shocks through social protection so that children not only survive but thrive.”
During the visit, the government and partners unveiled a new tool to capture all dimensions of poverty in the National Social Register, under the EU-funded Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) programme.
With $14 million in EU support, SUSI aims to improve social protection policy and budgeting, while creating a social registry in Sokoto focused on children and families in need including those without birth registration or National Identification Numbers, out-of-school children, families facing malnutrition, and those with limited access to primary healthcare.
Emphasising the programme’s systems approach, ILO Country Director, represented by Chinyere Emeka-Anuna, said, “Sustainable social protection requires strong institutions, clear policy, and coordinated financing. Through advancing programme-based budgeting and an interoperable social registry, Sokoto can better identify need and deliver support where it matters most.”
Also Read: UNICEF Backs Sokoto’s Social Protection Drive With ICT Donation
At primary healthcare facilities, the delegation observed efforts to make services more adolescent-friendly and gender responsive.
UNFPA Nigeria Resident Representative, Ms Muriel Mafico, 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.”
Community organisations were also highlighted as vital to sustaining progress. CARE Nigeria Country Director Hussaini Abdu 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.”
On education, Plan International Nigeria’s Country Director, represented by Dr Helen Idiong, stressed the importance of safe and supportive learning spaces, stating, “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 displaced families and host communities, inclusive and climate-smart solutions remain essential. The DRC Country Director, represented by Martha Kampire, said, “Displaced families need pathways to rebuild with dignity. Coordinated and community-driven responses are key to resilience and recovery.”
Similarly, ACF Nigeria Country Director, Thierno Samba Diallo, noted, “Conflict and insecurity, climate change, and natural disasters have severely reduced 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 concluded with a renewed joint commitment by the EU, the Sokoto State Government, UN agencies, and partners to continue supporting the state’s social and economic development agenda.