UNICEF urges Nigeria to base child policies on research

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigeria to base its child policies more on research, evidence, and lessons from past programmes. Wafaa Saeed, UNICEF's Representative in Nigeria, made this call in Abuja during the Knowledge Management Summit 2026, organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Federal Government's Child Rights Information Bureau.

Saeed emphasized that knowledge management should extend beyond mere information collection and storage, stressing that evidence generated from research must be transformed into policies and programs that produce measurable and enduring results. She highlighted the importance of reflecting on and learning from the knowledge generated, ensuring its use for impact, sustainability, and comprehensive coverage of all children, regardless of their location.

Saeed also advocated for greater involvement of children and young people in creating the knowledge that informs policies and programs affecting them. She argued that young people should not be seen merely as recipients of information but should actively participate in generating and shaping the knowledge that guides decision-making. "When you work with co-creation, when you get people from the beginning, then they already own the knowledge, and they can work on it," she stated.

Suzanne Suh, from the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office, underscored the critical role of research, evaluations, and assessments in evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and the efficient allocation of resources. She noted that knowledge management fosters accountability and transparency, allowing for the tracking of commitments, measurement of progress, and holding oneself accountable.

Suh called for increased investment in systems that generate disaggregated data while ensuring that children's experiences and perspectives are reflected in research.

Wayne Bacale, UNICEF Nigeria's Chief of Planning and Monitoring, concluded the discussion by expressing hope that the summit would lead to concrete actions rather than mere discussions. "This effort to share, learn, and put knowledge into action should not end here. It is a process. It's a journey," he emphasized.