Northern govs to invest more in early childhood development

File photo | Logo of the World Bank Group, whose 2025 Global Findex report highlights record growth in formal saving and mobile-money use across developing countries.

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Northern governors have affirmed their commitment to prioritising the first 2,000 days of children’s lives, emphasising that early investments are crucial for the region’s peace, productivity, and long-term economic growth.

The pledge followed a briefing by World Bank officials to the Northern Governors Forum, examining strategies to address the North’s “worrying childhood development outcomes.”

The Team Lead for Stunting and Early Years at the World Bank, Dr Ritgak Tilley-Gyado, told the forum that Nigeria cannot build a competitive workforce or secure its economic future without tackling stunting, malnutrition, weak early learning foundations, and inadequate caregiving systems.

She stressed the need for early stimulation, foundational learning, and family empowerment to strengthen caregiving and promote women’s participation.

“Investing in the first 2,000 days is not only about individual development — it is a people, economic, and social stability strategy,” Tilley-Gyado said. “Globally, these 2,000 days are regarded as the foundation phase for brain development, nutrition, learning, and overall wellbeing. Our consultations focused on nutrition, early learning, and child development during this critical period.”

Responding, Gombe State Governor and Forum Chairman, Inuwa Yahaya, described early years investment as “the most important investment we can make if we want peace, productivity, and a stronger northern economy.” He added, “The region cannot afford to miss another generation. The Early Years agenda must reflect our realities and support our frontline workers. We are ready to take leadership to shape what this becomes.”

Other governors echoed the importance of early interventions. Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi highlighted the links between poverty and poor childhood outcomes and commended the World Bank’s results-based financing tools.

Niger State Governor Umaru Bago stressed the importance of micronutrients and local production of fortified and biofortified foods.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang acknowledged the complexity of multisectoral reforms and pledged to strengthen evidence-driven delivery.

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal noted that while challenges were inherited, the North now has “a real opportunity to turn the tide” through bold early years investments.

Earlier, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Mathew Verghis, emphasised that state governments bear the largest delivery burden and must shape a nationally coherent but locally grounded early years agenda. He added that improving outcomes requires multisectoral collaboration across health, nutrition, education, WASH, women’s empowerment, agriculture, food systems, and social protection.

“The process is evidence-first, ensuring a nationally aligned, state-responsive platform grounded in local realities,” Verghis said.

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