UNICEF urges African governments to prioritise domestic funding for child welfare and education 

UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Mr. Gilles Fagninou, made this call in Abuja on Monday.

He explained that while international partners and donors provide vital support, their contributions are often influenced by domestic constraints and economic fluctuations in their home countries.

“Foreign aid, by nature, is uncertain. Donors give when they have the resources and when their domestic situations allow,” Fagninou said.

Fagninou acknowledged that recent cuts in U.S. grants would have significant consequences, including reduced support for malnourished children and fewer beneficiaries of UNICEF’s programmes.

However, he reassured that the agency is actively collaborating with various partners to mitigate the impact.

“There are still countries providing support, and we are also strengthening fundraising efforts with the private sector, which has already yielded positive results,” he added.

Fagninou highlighted the importance of increasing domestic budget allocations for children’s welfare, making it a key focus of his visit to Nigeria. He urged governments to prioritise children’s needs using local resources rather than relying on foreign aid.

“Foreign aid should complement existing efforts, not serve as the primary foundation,” he stated. “I see this as an opportunity for governments to prioritise what matters most for their children with domestic funding.” 

“I grew up in a community where half of my childhood was spent with friends, uncles, and aunts, not just my biological parents. That sense of solidarity ensured I could go to school, eat well, and grow up healthy,” he shared.

Fagninou urged African nations to harness their strong sense of community and strengthen internal support systems rather than relying solely on foreign assistance.

“Our children belong to us. We must act now to secure their future, with or without external aid,” he said.

“Nigeria accounts for more than one-third of this total,” he noted.

Fagninou criticised existing solutions, stating they were not effectively addressing the crisis.

“The population growth in our countries and communities is very high, yet governments are not investing at a level that matches this rapid expansion. 

“As a result, while the number of school-age children keeps increasing, investment in education infrastructure is not keeping up.”

“As a result, while the number of school-age children keeps increasing, investment in education infrastructure is not keeping up.”

“We don’t have to wait to recruit large numbers of teachers or construct new school buildings before enrolling more children,” he said.

“There are alternative solutions, such as radio education, distance learning, and skills acquisition programmes, which can help bridge the gap.” 

Fagninou urged governments to allocate more domestic resources to education to sustain and expand impactful programmes initiated by international organisations, ensuring that every child and region has access to quality education.