The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Thursday, pledged to invest $16 million over three years to support the Oyo State Government’s efforts in promoting children’s rights.

According to UNICEF, the investment aims to improve healthcare, education, and protection for children in the state. The investment will be used to implement a three-year work plan in the state, with a focus on ensuring the rights of children are achieved.

However, in 2025 alone, UNICEF has committed to spending $5.2 million on activities supporting children’s rights in the state.

Kolawole Bello, the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, disclosed this while making a remark during a Child Rights Advocacy Dialogue with all 33 local government chairmen in Oyo State.

The dialogue, which was held at the Plaza D’ Aruna Hotel, Oyo Town, aimed at getting the council chairmen to “prioritise children, plan for children, budget for children and spend for children from bottom up in view of the autonomy granted to LGAs in terms of allocations.”

Bello, who represented the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Musbau Babatunde, said the state government is committed to working with UNICEF to ensure the rights of children are met.

The governor’s aide underscored the importance of local governments in implementing initiatives that benefit children, noting that they are the closest tier of government to the people.

“UNICEF has a three-year working implementation plan in Oyo State. There is about $16 million to be spent over the three years. However, in 2025 alone, UNICEF has pledged to commit over $5.2 million to support the activities in Oyo State,” he said.

Also speaking, UNICEF’s Social Policy Manager, Muhammad Okorie, highlighted the need for local governments to prioritise children’s rights, despite the challenges posed by limited financial autonomy. He emphasised that local governments have a critical role to play in ensuring that policies and programs aimed at promoting children’s rights are implemented effectively.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of Chairmen, Sikiru Sanda, the Chairman of Oyo East LGA, Mr Salami Akeem, commended the initiative and assured that the council boss will do the needful to ensure the rights of children are better improved through the right budgetary allocations.