The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has called on youth across the state to take the lead in promoting children’s rights, health, education, nutrition and WASH services, as the state hosted the Youth Summit on Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) in Sokoto yesterday.
Speaking at the event, the Head of UNICEF Sokoto Office, Mr. Michael Juma, challenged participants to use the summit as a platform to contribute meaningfully to policies and programs that affect their lives. He emphasized that youth participation remains fundamental to UNICEF’s work under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“We want to know what we are not doing well and where we need to improve. But we also want to know what we have done well,” Juma said.
He noted that young people possess the energy, innovation and creativity necessary to address emerging challenges in education, health, nutrition, digital skills, environmental protection and climate change.
Juma also commended the Sokoto State Government for its recent investments in child welfare, including the approval of $100 million for high-impact nutritional products, describing the gesture as an important step towards reducing malnutrition.
However, she stressed that more work was needed to ensure equitable access to quality education, healthcare, clean water and a protective environment for girls.
“Your voices matter to us. Your ideas matter and your actions must guide policymaking,” he said.
“I want to see a stronger, more robust youth network committed to driving change in the state.”
He further highlighted the establishment of Digital Learning Villages in Sokoto, Kware and Dange-Shuni, implemented in partnership with the state government, to equip adolescents and youth with digital and vocational skills that enhance employability.
Declaring the summit open, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Alhaji Sambo Bello Danchadi, commended UNICEF for its long-standing support to Sokoto and Nigeria, recalling the organisation’s decades of partnership dating back to the 1960s.
“This summit brings together young people not only to listen, but also to lead,” he said.
“Young people shape conversations and inspire positive social norms. They are not just the future; they are key influencers today.”
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to strengthening communication channels, countering misinformation and deepening community participation to promote children’s rights and healthy behavior across the state.
Commissioner for Women and Children’s Affairs Hajiya Hadiza Shagari, represented by the ministry’s Director of Administration, described the summit as timely and pledged continued government support for all programs that protect children.
Similarly, Alhaji Hayyatu Abdullahi, who represented the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, praised the support of UNICEF, highlighting that youth remain the main drivers of economic growth and must be prepared for the future.
From the academic community, the SUG Chairman of Sokoto State University of Medical Sciences, Ibrahim Abdullahi, promised to reduce training for students of the university so that they fully benefit from the shared knowledge.
Also speaking, Barr. Hafsat Sahabi Denge urged participants to take the summit seriously, saying: “Choose one or two things that will reshape your life for the future.”
The summit, themed “Youth for Change: Leveraging youth-led platforms to promote child rights, health, education, nutrition and WASH in Sokoto State”, aims to strengthen youth-led communication and social mobilization, particularly in areas such as vaccination awareness, identification of out-of-school children, community sensitisation, digital innovation and climate-smart initiatives.
Participants are expected to develop action plans that reflect their priorities and propose solutions to improve service delivery in key social sectors.
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