Gombe Governor Advocates 25-Year Plan for Childhood Development

On Wednesday, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Yahaya called for the adoption of a 25-year national plan for early childhood development (ECD) during the National Development Update Bi-Annual Forum organized by the World Bank in Abuja. He urged the federal government to prioritize child development as a cornerstone of Nigeria's long-term growth and prosperity.

Yahaya emphasized the need for a coordinated national framework that places ECD at the center of policy planning. He advocated for a shift from short-term interventions to a long-term commitment that aligns efforts across all tiers of government throughout a child's life.

Muhammad Magaji, Gombe's Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, supported the call for harmonized interventions across federal, state, and local governments to ensure policies and programs work synergistically. Yahaya highlighted Gombe's achievements, including the return of 350,000 children to classrooms and the establishment of nursery and kindergarten schools, backed by World Bank support.

He reiterated that investing in early childhood development is essential for building a resilient population and sustaining economic growth.