Sokoto first lady backs N150m UNFPA counterpart funding

Sokoto State First Lady Maryam Aliyu has pledged to press for the timely release of N150 million in counterpart funding allocated to the United Nations Population Fund in the state’s 2026 budget.

She made the commitment during an advocacy visit by the Sokoto State Family Planning Advocacy Group, supported by UNFPA and the state government. Aliyu said she would use her office to engage Governor Ahmed Aliyu about releasing the funds for family planning and other UNFPA-backed programmes.

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I will use my office to join in the advocacy to the state governor on the timely release of the funds as allocated in the budget.

Aliyu also promised continued cooperation with UNFPA, particularly on programmes aimed at improving the well-being of women and children. “My door is always open to the UNFPA team in order to achieve its objectives in the state,” she said.

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My door is always open to the UNFPA team in order to achieve its objectives in the state.

Rabi Sagir, the UNFPA Sokoto field office’s state team lead, praised Aliyu’s support and said Sokoto had held a prominent position in UNFPA interventions. The state was among the first to provide its N30 million counterpart contribution the previous year, she said, crediting the first lady with helping secure its timely release.

Sagir urged Aliyu to support advocacy for the immediate release of the 2026 allocation. She said UNFPA’s target for the following year was to multiply its support eightfold and noted that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had promised continued backing for the programmes through the end of his administration.

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We work with First Ladies in the country, but I can assure you that you are one of the First Ladies we are proud of at UNFPA due to your support for our initiatives in respect of children and what affects our children.