Kaduna govt, UNICEF train 23 LG chairmen on public fund management

The Kaduna State Government, with support from UNICEF, has begun a three-day capacity-building workshop on Public Financial Management for the 23 local government chairmen of the state.

The workshop aims to strengthen financial governance, improve budgeting and enhance service delivery, particularly in health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and social protection.

It also seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of child poverty, evidence-based planning, resource allocation and implementation of interventions that improve human development outcomes.

Other objectives include strengthening budget preparation, execution, financial reporting, internally generated revenue and application of the National Chart of Accounts in local government administration.

Speaking at the event on Monday, August 3, 2026, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Mahmud Lawal, described the workshop as timely as preparations for the 2027 local government budgets had commenced.

Lawal said the ministry had already issued the 2027 Local Government Budget Call Circular to the 23 councils, making the training critical for effective budget preparation.

He urged the chairmen to produce realistic, transparent, and credible budgets that respond to development priorities and improve citizens’ welfare.

According to him, the 2027 budget should serve as a practical tool for sustainable development, poverty reduction and improved delivery of essential public services.

Lawal advised participants to prioritise fiscal discipline, realistic revenue projections, prudent expenditure management, and high-impact projects benefiting communities.

Lawal said the Kaduna State Government had strengthened public financial management through adoption of the National Chart of Accounts, harmonised budget guidelines and improved financial reporting systems.

The permanent secretary added that stronger accountability mechanisms and budget performance monitoring had enhanced transparency and value for public expenditure.

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Lawal stressed that effective leadership by council chairmen was essential for transparent procurement, improved internally generated revenue and successful budget implementation.

He also urged greater investments in primary healthcare, basic education, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and social protection to improve human capital development.

Lawal thanked UNICEF and technical partners for supporting Kaduna’s efforts to strengthen fiscal governance and improve services for women, children and vulnerable populations.

The UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Kaduna, Dr Gerida Birukila, appreciated the Kaduna State Government for its commitment to strengthening governance systems and improving the wellbeing of children and women.

Birukila, represented by Dr Idris Baba, described the workshop as timely ahead of the 2027 budget process, noting that planning and budgeting discussions should begin early.

Birukila said the workshop would strengthen participants’ understanding of public financial management while identifying practical solutions for improving resource mobilisation.