Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
The First Lady of Sokoto State, Hajia Maryam Aliyu, has made a firm commitment to champion the timely release of the N150 million counterpart funding allocated to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the state’s 2026 budget, a move that could significantly accelerate reproductive health and family planning interventions across one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable regions. The pledge came during an advocacy visit by the Sokoto State Family Planning Advocacy Group, supported by the UNFPA and the state government, at the Government House in Sokoto on Wednesday. Hajia Maryam assured the delegation that she would personally engage Governor Ahmed Aliyu to ensure the funds are released without delay to support family planning and other UNFPA-backed programmes in the state.
“I will use my office to join in the advocacy to the state governor on the timely release of the funds as allocated in the budget,” Hajia Maryam declared. She further assured the advocacy group and UNFPA of her continued support and collaboration, particularly on programmes aimed at improving the well-being of women and children. “My door is always open to the UNFPA team in order to achieve its objectives in the state,” she added, signalling a strong partnership between the First Lady’s office and the international development agency.
The N150 million allocation represents a significant jump from the N30 million counterpart contribution Sokoto provided in 2025, reflecting the state government’s growing recognition of the critical role family planning and reproductive health services play in reducing maternal and child mortality. The UNFPA State Team Lead, Dr Rabi Sagir, who led the advocacy visit, commended the First Lady for her unwavering support for the organisation’s initiatives, particularly those addressing issues affecting children and families. “We work with First Ladies in the country, but I can assure you that you are one of the First Ladies we are proud of at UNFPA due to your support for our initiatives in respect of children and what affects our children,” Sagir said.
Dr Sagir disclosed that Sokoto State had continued to occupy a prominent position in UNFPA interventions and support across the country, noting that the state was among the first to provide its N30 million counterpart contribution last year. She credited the First Lady with playing an important role in ensuring the timely release of those funds. Now, with the budget increased fivefold to N150 million, the stakes are even higher. Sagir appealed to the First Lady to support advocacy for the immediate release of the funds, emphasising that the resources would be deployed to scale up family planning services, reproductive health interventions, and maternal care across the state. “We know you will help us, and we are using this medium to tell you that our target for next year is to multiply our support by eight,” she said, hinting at the exponential impact the funds could unlock.
The advocacy visit is part of broader efforts by the State Family Planning Advocacy Group, with support from UNFPA and the state government, to strengthen government commitment and financing for family planning services and related reproductive health interventions in Sokoto State. The visit also comes at a time when Sokoto continues to grapple with some of the worst maternal and child health indicators in Nigeria. According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the state has consistently recorded high maternal mortality ratios, low contraceptive prevalence rates, and significant barriers to accessing quality reproductive healthcare, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
The N150 million counterpart funding is expected to be matched by UNFPA under its matching fund arrangement, potentially unlocking far greater resources for the state. Under the arrangement, UNFPA provides additional support based on the quantum of counterpart funding released by the state government, creating a powerful incentive for timely disbursement. This model has proven effective in other states where prompt counterpart funding has led to significant improvements in the availability of family planning commodities, the training of healthcare workers, and the strengthening of health systems.
Sokoto’s increased investment in family planning aligns with the Federal Government’s broader push to reduce maternal mortality and improve reproductive health outcomes across Nigeria. The country has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, with an estimated 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to the United Nations. Family planning is widely recognised as one of the most cost-effective interventions to prevent maternal deaths, reduce unintended pregnancies, and empower women to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
The First Lady’s commitment to the timely release of the N150 million is particularly significant given the political and administrative challenges that often accompany budget implementation in Nigeria. Counterpart funding delays have historically hindered the smooth implementation of donor-funded programmes, leading to disruptions in the supply of essential commodities and the suspension of critical health interventions. Hajia Maryam’s pledge to personally engage the governor on the matter signals a determination to avoid such pitfalls and ensure that the funds reach their intended beneficiaries without bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu, who has previously demonstrated commitment to the health sector, had earlier assured UNFPA of his continued support for its programmes until the end of his administration. In July 2026, the governor deepened the state’s partnership with UNFPA, with the agency disclosing that Sokoto had increased its budget for family planning commodities from N30 million in 2025 to N150 million in the 2026 budget. The governor’s administration has also been praised for its prompt release of counterpart funds in previous years, a practice that has helped Sokoto maintain its position as one of the highest beneficiaries of UNFPA support in Nigeria. According to UNFPA, Sokoto has received funding exceeding N4.6 billion in 2026 alone, underscoring the scale of the partnership between the state and the international development agency.
The N150 million counterpart funding is expected to support a wide range of interventions, including the procurement of family planning commodities, the training of healthcare workers, the strengthening of health systems, and the expansion of reproductive health services to underserved communities. The funds will also support the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project, which has received N150 million in counterpart funding from the state government. The First Lady, Hajia Fatima Ahmed Aliyu, has been a vocal champion of the AGILE project, advocating for critical issues surrounding family planning and reproductive health.
The advocacy visit by the Sokoto State Family Planning Advocacy Group marks a significant step in ensuring that the N150 million counterpart funding is released and deployed effectively. With the First Lady’s commitment and the governor’s continued support, Sokoto is well-positioned to make substantial progress in improving reproductive health outcomes and reducing maternal mortality. For the women and children of Sokoto State, the timely release of these funds could mean the difference between life and death. As Hajia Maryam Aliyu has made clear, her office will not rest until the funds are released and the lives of Sokoto’s most vulnerable are protected.
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