The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigeria to prioritize research, evidence, and lessons from previous programmes when creating policies and interventions aimed at improving child wellbeing. This call was made by UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed, at the Knowledge Management Summit 2026 in Abuja. The summit was organized by UNICEF in partnership with the Federal Government through the Child Rights Information Bureau. The event aimed to promote knowledge management and its application in policy development.
According to Saeed, knowledge management should go beyond collecting and storing information. She emphasized that evidence generated from research must be translated into policies and programmes that deliver measurable and sustainable results. Saeed also advocated for greater participation of children and young people in generating knowledge used to shape policies and programmes affecting them. This, she believes, will ensure that their needs and perspectives are taken into account.
Saeed further stressed the importance of involving young people in the creation and shaping of knowledge that informs decisions. She noted that when young people are involved from the beginning, they take ownership of the knowledge and can work with it more effectively. This approach, she believes, will lead to more impactful and sustainable results. UNICEF is working to promote this approach in Nigeria.
Suzanne Suh of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office also spoke at the summit. She emphasized the essential role of research, evaluations, and assessments in evidence-based decision-making, accountability, and effective allocation of resources. According to Suh, knowledge management provides accountability and transparency, allowing for the tracking of commitments, measurement of progress, and holding of parties accountable.
Suh called for increased investment in systems that generate disaggregated data, ensuring that children’s experiences and perspectives are reflected in research. This, she believes, will enable more effective decision-making and resource allocation. UNICEF and its partners are working to support the development of such systems in Nigeria.
Wayne Bacale, UNICEF Nigeria’s Chief of Planning and Monitoring, also addressed the summit. He emphasized that the event should lead to concrete action rather than just discussions. Bacale noted that the effort to share, learn, and put knowledge into action should be an ongoing process, leading to tangible results. He called on participants to commit to implementing the summit’s recommendations.
The Knowledge Management Summit 2026 aimed to promote the application of knowledge management in policy development and programme implementation. The event brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector to share experiences and best practices. The summit’s outcomes are expected to inform the development of more effective policies and programmes for children in Nigeria.
Key points
- UNICEF urges Nigeria to prioritize research and evidence in developing child policies and interventions.
- Greater participation of children and young people in generating knowledge is advocated.
- Increased investment in systems generating disaggregated data is called for.
