Stakeholders at the Northern Governors Forum have raised the alarm over the urgent need to invest in the first 2,000 days of a child’s life, warning that failure to act could cost the region an entire generation to stunting, malnutrition, and poor early learning outcomes.
The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) held a joint emergency meeting in Kaduna, hosting the World Bank to discuss strategies for strengthening early childhood development across the region.
The “First 2,000 Days” refers to the critical period from conception to age five, when rapid brain and body development makes adequate nutrition, healthcare, stimulation, and foundational learning interventions essential for lifelong health, education, and productivity.
Dr. Ritgak Tilley-Gyado, Team Lead for Stunting and Early Years at the World Bank, highlighted the demographic, economic, and service-delivery imperatives for investing in early childhood, noting that this is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s broader human capital development agenda. She said the World Bank’s support, channeled through the Human Capital Development-Core Working Group (HCD-CWG), aligns evidence, policy options, and delivery pathways for state-level programs aimed at reducing stunting, strengthening family systems, and promoting responsive caregiving.
Building on this, Dr. Mathew Verghis, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, reminded governors that states bear the greatest responsibility for delivering early childhood programs. “Early Years outcomes depend on multisectoral action, requiring strong collaboration across health, nutrition, education, WASH, women’s empowerment, food security, agriculture, and social protection,” he said.
Responding to the presentations, Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State emphasized the strong link between poverty and poor early childhood development outcomes, while Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State stressed the importance of micronutrients, including fortified and biofortified foods being locally produced. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State acknowledged the complexity of multisectoral initiatives, affirming his commitment to evidence-informed institutional and delivery arrangements. Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State said the region now has a real opportunity to turn the tide through decisive early years investments, and Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State expressed satisfaction with the state’s strong partnership with the World Bank.
The governors collectively agreed that investing in the first 2,000 days is the most critical intervention to ensure peace, productivity, and a stronger northern economy. They warned that without urgent action, the region “cannot afford to lose another generation.”
“The Early Years agenda must reflect our realities and support frontline workers. We are ready to take leadership in shaping a platform that secures the future of our children,” the forum declared.
